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Dynamic young driver climbs motor sport ladder

Sebastian Lanzetti's dream is to become a Formula1 champ.

GLENVISTA – Sebastian Lanzetti, a Glenvista resident, has his sights set high on the chequered flag and becoming a Formula 1 driver.

Born in Johannesburg on May 28, 1996, Sebastian always showed an interest in motor sport and at age 10 his interest intensified. With his father, Matteo, his role model and mentor, who took part for several years in the Porsche cup challenge, Sebastian, always at his father’s side, learnt and grew from all the experience.

During 2009, Sebastian began kart racing in the junior max category, his natural talent and immense drive for the sport was evident as he placed second in the club championship.

Sebastian then moved forward in 2010 and joined the RKT racing team, under the watchful eye of Etienne Roos, team manager and a former karter champion. Sebastian was the youngest driver ever to participate in the fiercely contested super Rok division where he raced at regional and national level and excelled.

Towards the end of the 2010 year, he was fast becoming a serious threat, always finishing in the top six. During the last race for the season he impressed many by winning his first tournament outright.

At the same time, Sebastian moved up from super Rok, to the latest six speed Parilla engine Zanardi kart, this was done in order to keep Sebastian sharp in his Formula Ford, thus offering him great experience competing against only the best drivers in the country.

In 2011 the year began with great hype as he took top honours in the first race of the season and in September the same year, he was one of only six drivers to be selected to represent South Africa at the Rok world finals in the super Rok division which took place in Italy, and again had the great honour of being the youngest driver ever to compete.

During late October 2011, Sebastian started intensive testing in the Formula Ford single seater, under the watchful eye of Niño Venturi and his 43 years of experience in the motor-sport industry both in South Africa and abroad behind him, Niño Venturi helped determine whether Sebastian’s talent could be taken to the next level.

After approximately 400 laps at Midvaal, Zwartkops and Kyalami circuits, Sebastian proved that he had speed and car control, only 0.3 second off the pace of more experienced drivers.

It was then he decided that he would take part in the 2012 Midas F1600, Formula Ford championship which forms part of the Wesbank super series, the most prestigious national track racing series in South Africa.

In February 2012 Sebastian was given the opportunity to meet a legend in the Formula 1 history, ex Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan. After an intense two hour discussion and advice given by Mr Jordan himself, it was decided to continue pursuing the single seat racing route in Formula Ford.

Sebastian’s career aim is to eventually reach Formula 1, either in a test/reserve driver role or as an official team driver.

Sebastian’s career plan for 2013 is that with the help of corporate sponsors he can complete the last five remaining races in the Formula VW (equivalent to F3) as he is currently competing in the Formula VW super series.

Sebastian also competes in the X30 Shifter kart series and is running second in the championship. From there, he plans on gaining international exposure by

testing in GP3 in Europe during 2014. Sebastian is a current holder of an international licence which allows him to race in any series overseas.

With his supportive family, father Matteo, mom Lydia, sister Alicia and brother Christofer, Sebastian is kept motivated and focused on his chosen career. “My family are awesome and support me all the way. I have to be careful what I eat, high protein, low carb food, and I mainly drink water. My mom is a great cook and makes the best pasta dishes. As a family we all love Ocean Basket and frequent the Meyersdal branch weekly,” said Sebastian.

Asked what he plans to do after matriculating at the end of 2014, he said, “I’m keen on working for one of my racing teams but always working towards my goal and dream of becoming a Formulae 1 racing driver.”

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