Let's for a moment look at Motor racing over the last thirty years and which individual drivers make it in Formula One and who doesn't, and really what is the main ingredient for getting started or not.

Think about it, almost without exception, every top driver has received solid and unwavering parental support (push) from a very early age. And with really enthusiastic parents surely it starts from the cradle! Scott Dixon is certainly no different. So you consider that unfair?

Sure it is, by the very nature of motor sport, requiring such expensive equipment demands that the initial support must be supplied. But that's life, and indeed that is the way it is in any form of Motor Sport (other than Karts) and in fact probably more than any other pursuit that a child could pursue, that's for sure.

So that upsets you? and want to change that? Well either take up kart racing , athletics, tennis or swimming or even mountain climbing where you don't need such expensive equipment. Just think of any example you wish over the last two or three decades.

Chris Amon racing at the age of 15 and booting around a fully fledged F1 car at the age of seventeen.

Bruce McLaren started racing his father's small Austin seven from an even younger age.

Keki Rosberg in karts from his early teens.

Nigel Mansell in karts from a similar age.

The great Jim Clark, with friends from his local village willing to let him race their sporty cars - albeit he was a little older.

Jackie Stewart who's family ran a Motor Company in Scotland racing a family E Type Jaguar, starting in club events.

In fact try and find any one of the great drivers who were able to make it without that support from an early age . Perhaps the great Fangio ?

Let's go back to the Sixties with the example of both the Mexican Rodrigues brothers Pedro and Riccardo, who both had a good start in motor circles, and then cars at something like 14 or 15 years of age ! Believe me not many could lay claim to starting to race on the circuit at such an early age. New Zealand born Scott Dixon did and set out on his career in Motor Sport. At the age of thirteen, yes thirteen, after a number of years in kart racing, he set out on his first season, starting in Formula Vee at a National meeting, on the New Zealand Grand Prix track at Pukekohe.

A rather 'gutless' formula but still necessary to be smooth and consistent. Did he win? No, but it was a close thing from that very first outing. From that first event he seemed to be having , of all things, believe it or not in a formula Vee!!, gearbox problems! as he would catch the two or three leaders and start to climb all over them and then struggle with gears and then drop back. His aggressive and confident approach was apparent and showed the moment the flag went down and the race started! He clearly was unwilling and in fact totally dissatisfied with any thing less than a first place and a win! A sure sign of a winner.

I think he finished 2-3rd in the first race.

The final race of the day set out and once again he was desperately trying to pass drivers two or three times his age, only with a rather desperate move by trying to go around the outside of the fast right hand sweeper after the Pits. This is not a move to be tackled lightly. Who tangled with who? doesn't really matter, it was his reaction to this whole thing that in my opinion marked him as a winner and signaled that this kid was going to the very top. Arrogance ? maybe but as drivers and others gathered around stressed and worried, including family, to see the damaged car, apart from being a little red in the face he just just stood there very calm and relaxed as if nothing had happened!

Sure he didn't have to pay for it, sure he didn't have to fix it!

So is he ready for Formula one now? I know, I know, history shows you probably only get one shot at that gigantic move, but along with the experience available to direct his carrier comes New Zealander Ken Smith, now fifty seven or so and who, incidentally, is not only still determined to win the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship even at that age, is guiding and has guided Scott Dixon since his Formula Ford days.

But at thirteen? He displayed a maturity way beyond any thirteen year old or any one else I would be aware of at such a young age.

Who was the youngest formula one driver of all time?

How many wins did he have in the Formula Holden series?

Where to from here? Formula One?

Looking at his current performance on the Indy lights series still shows that same maturity and talent, particularly the way he handled the ovals. Remember the brilliant Ferrari Formula One driver Chris Amon quite capable of hurtling around say the old Nurburgring at record lap times, just couldn't come to grips with the ovals in the States. Believe me Amon was no wimp. Bruce McClaren was prompted to suggest painting trees on the exterior walls to help him. But Dixon seemed to adapt quite easily from day one. No doubt with considerable coaching from others.

The question is, will he move into fully fledged Indy cars next year? I don't think so. Remember things are very different to the Sixties where a phone call in the dead of night, (for the antipodean drivers any way) could mean being offered a full on Formula drive within the week!! Like it or not Britain and Europe must be his next destination. Along with the vast experience of both Vern Schupan and Stefan Johanson who are no fools they will be well aware of what is best for him at this point of his racing career.

He knows his way around motor sport and would have contacts even now. These advisers would certainly be well aware of the dismal record of Top Indy drivers setting out with great expectations in Formula One, and yet unable to perform well in that class, eg Al Unser and currently Alex Zinardi currently driving for Williams. Both Dan Gurney and The great Mario Andretti did that successfully many years ago but F 1 is now very different and far more controlled and commercial. So is he ready for Formula One? From the point of view of talent and driving ability and experience I would say yes. Look at the ability and maturity of some of the drivers in some of the slower back markers currently in F1 cars.

Martin Brundle in his recent commentary described one of these drivers as 'out of his depth and indeed quite pathetic.' However, commercially, Formula One is quite unique and informidable. I ask again can he get in to F1 now?? I think so. Very few drivers of his age could produce such a CV as Scott Dixon. From karts, to Formula Ford to Formula Holden and now Indy lights.

What about his struggle during this last year ? Who knows, maybe that was contrived by his supporters to toughen him up with the long term in mind? The only question would be without the very rough and tough Formula Three experience in the UK and Europe could he deal with F1?

After watching him deal with the shunt as a thirteen year old I would say yes. We motor sport watchers wait with interest. My guess to what will be the next move will be first Formula 3000 with the occasional F1 Try out? We wait with interest and the next six months will tell.

Question:
a) Was The New Zealand born Mike Thackwell the youngest Formula One driver of all time or was it the other brilliant Kiwi Chris Amon?
b) Will Mark Webber be driving in F1 next year?
c) Will Craig Lowndes be back in single seaters next year?

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