LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

Teenage racing sensation wants to be first female F1 champion, writes Neal Keeling

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IT began on her sixth birthday. As a treat her dad took her to the Daytona indoor karting centre in Manchester. “That's when I first realised I could go at speed,” she recalls.

Now nothing is stopping her from chasing a life in the fast lane. At the age of 17, Daniella Sutton is a Formula 4 racing driver, having landed a lucrative sponsorship deal.

Her rapid rise on the track is remarkable too, considering a health hurdle she has cleared with determination. Her inspirations are the legendary, late Brazilian and three-time F1 World Champion Ayrton Senna, and American Natalie Decker, a current teenage stock car racing sensation in the US.

Their blend of natural talent and grit is apt. Senna's self belief and conviction were the bedrock of his success, while Natalie has succeeded despite living with rheumatoid arthritis.

Daniella began having issues with her health from the age of 12. In 2021 she was diagnosed at Alder Hey Children's Hospital with polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Not only has the condition failed to put the brakes on her racing career, she is also an ambassador for the Juvenile Arthritis Research (JAR) charity.

On track, her new Formula 4 car has a top speed of about 150mph and she will compete on the British Touring Car Championship calendar next year.

Daniella, from Warrington, will take part in 10 race meetings at iconic British venues including Brands Hatch, Donington Park and Silverstone, as well as in Zandvoort in Holland. Her races will be televised live on ITV with millions of viewers and 40,000 track-side.