Australian Formula 4 front-runner Luis Leeds has been included in Red Bull’s young driver program.
The 15-year-old from Melbourne will join the famous young driver development program which has helped produce Formula 1 stars Daniel Ricciardo and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel.
One of three inductees confirmed today, Leeds will move to Europe next season to compete in the UK’s MSA Formula with Arden Motorsport.
The championship utilises the same Ford powered Mygale F4 car Leeds drove in the CAMS Jayco Australian Formula 4 Championship this season.
“To think that I am now part of the Red Bull Junior Team is just incredible and I can’t wait for the MSA Formula season to start in Britain,” said Leeds.
“I know that the level of competition will be much higher but at least the cars will be the same so I can take what I have learnt here and make use of it.
“It’s a big ask to go overseas for a season at 15, I know I am going to miss family, friends and school but I know its a sacrifice that I am making to go after my dreams.
“I’ll be going to school there of course and living in the Silverstone, Milton Keynes area where all the motorsport is.”
Leeds says he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Australian Formula 1 drivers Mark Webber and Ricciardo.
“It’s huge but it doesn’t concern me, rather something I can aim for. They are fantastic drivers and they’ve won a lot of races but they haven’t won an F1 World Championship yet so they’ve left me something,” added Leeds.
Leeds will now head to Spain’s Valencia circuit next week to join the Arden team for his first pre-season test.