Driver, 12, inspired by Lando Norris, wins title

While all eyes were on British racer Lando Norris at the weekend, a 12-year-old racing driver from Lincolnshire became a karting world champion in his own right.

Tom Read, from Louth, who has the nickname The Farmer, won the worldwide Mini Max Rotax Challenge Grand Finals in Bahrain.

The young racer, who according to his mum Sally is fuelled by steak, chips and milk, said he was inspired by Norris and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

"Most of the Formula One grid started in karting and won world finals. I just need to do the same," he said.

Tom, who normally helps out with the sheep and driving the tractors around the family farm, has already won 70 trophies since being introduced to karting at the age of eight.

He was signed by Strawberry Racing in 2023 after being spotted by the team while racing at PF International Circuit at Brandon, near Grantham.

Tom's latest achievement sees him join an elite group of Brits, which includes George Russell's brother, Benjy, who won the senior Max in 2007 with Strawberry Racing.

His dad, James, said they were "over the moon" and "absolutely gobsmacked" at what Tom had achieved.

"Most farmers are good drivers, but Tom's taken it to the limit now.

"I don't think it has actually sunk in - he's such a cool dude - he's just straight-faced like nothing's happened," he said.

Mr Read said they had been on tenterhooks waiting for the final result after two of the other drivers incurred time penalties.

"It took half an hour for the results to come out, and then we found out we'd won," he said.

It comes after Lando Norris won his first Formula 1 drivers' championship by securing the third place he needed in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 26-year-old took the title by two points from Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who won the race to take his eighth victory of the year.

Norris becomes the 11th British world champion at the end of his seventh season in F1.

It is also McLaren's first drivers' and constructors' title double since 1998.

Commenting on Norris' title win, Mr Read said: "His hero has done it as well - it's all fallen into place - it couldn't be better."

He said the family did not know Norris had secured the title until they landed back in the UK.

"They cheered Tom when we got on the plane - then they all cheered when we found out Lando had won when we got off," he added.

Listen to highlights fromLincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch thelatest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices