Ceran Singh Sokhi - IMI

I began my academic journey in motorsport during college where I earned an IMI qualification in Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance and Repair. I also did a BEng Honours Degree in Automotive Engineering with Motorsport and achieved a 2:1. This followed with my current job at McLaren Automotive as a Vehicle Distribution Coordinator. However, my journey truly started when I first saw high-speed police cars racing down the road as a child, and I was instantly hooked. That flash of adrenaline, the thrill of raw speed, it planted a seed that would grow into a lifelong passion for motorsport.

My family’s always been into Formula 1, but they never thought I’d try and do it. After trying out different sports, none of which stuck, I found my home behind the wheel. In 2011, I began go-karting, a journey that eventually led to test in Formula 3, an achievement I never expected. The first time I drove an F3 car… words can’t really describe it. All I can remember is just smiling, and that smile said it all.

Like many racers, my journey hasn’t been smooth. Motorsport is notoriously expensive, and the financial side has often felt like an uphill battle. Competing against drivers with six-figure budgets while scraping together enough for a single test day is no small challenge.

But the barriers weren’t just financial. I also faced prejudice in subtle but damaging forms. It wasn’t verbal, but I was targeted on track, almost like I had a bounty on my head. Drivers would tag-team me in races, and it came at a cost, to the point where they wrote off my kart. Despite this, I secured race wins, clinched a championship, and refused to walk away. I’ve seen other drivers quit when things got tough. For me, powering through the negativity has only strengthened my mindset.

For me, motorsport isn’t just personal – it’s cultural. As a Sikh driver in a sport still dominated by wealth and whiteness, I know the weight of representation. Lewis Hamilton inspired so many by showing what’s possible and I want to do the same – to put a South Asian name on the racing map. That mission already has ripple effects. I recently surprised a young seven-year-old karter at the track and his little face lit up when he saw me. He told all his teammates I was an F3 driver. In that moment, I knew what representation meant.

Motorsport carries a reputation for being exclusive and I want to change that. Teams are charging half a million for F3 seats now. Even Formula 4 has tripled in cost over the past decade. It shouldn’t be near impossible. We need to make racing more accessible for people who don’t come from big budgets.

Breaking down stereotypes is equally important. In our community, people often think the path is football, cricket, or becoming a doctor. I want to show that motorsport can be an option too. That it can be done.

While Formula 1 remains the dream, I am realistic and focused on GT racing. I’ve got the skills, it’s just a matter of time. My story is about showing the next generation that no matter how long it takes, you’ve got to keep going.

If it wasn’t for racing, I wouldn’t be pursuing what I want to do. I love it to bits. And one day, when I make it, I hope people see that a Sikh driver has done it — and that means they can too.