A teenager from West Lothian is hoping she's racing towards a Formula One career - just one year after taking up the sport thanks to a Netflix series.
Caitlin Seabrook, 16, from Livingston, watched the Netflix series ‘Drive to Survive’ series last year and instantly her passion for motorsports was ignited and wanted to try it out for herself.
Barely a year later, she is competing at the highest level of karting and showing what can be done if you follow your dream.
READ NEXT- Edinburgh police swoop on quiet street before arrest of 41-year-old man
As the Record reports, Caitlin had never driven a go-kart prior to watching the Netflix series and only started her racing journey at Knockhill early last year. There she was spotted by karting centre manager Chris Young who encouraged the young rookie to keep practising.
The passion took a further hold on Caitlin during a holiday to Oliva in Spain where she set a series of fast laps at a local karting centre. Once the family returned to Scotland, she quickly joined the karting academy at Clydebank’s indoor karting centre, run by TeamSport.
The progression was immediate, winning a place at the local finals of the British Indoor Karting Championship, where she earned enough points to qualify for the regional finals.
Caitlin then took the next step – racing outdoors and in faster karts with a trip to the Larkhall track opening the door to the next level.
She commented: “I was introduced to Lenny Messenger and his LM Motorsport team and instantly knew I’d found the right place to help me progress my racing career.
“Lenny helped me and my dad, with advice on how to start our kart-ownership journey, joining his team and ready to start racing competitively in 2023.”
Now racing in championships across Scotland, she’s also been invited back to the track where it all began in Spain.
On top of that, she’s also secured her first partnership after joining forces with Livingston-based Synergy Group Fitness. Owner Ross Paterson said it was an ‘honour’ and hopes they can play their part in helping Caitlin progress in her career.
He said: “We are so proud and honoured to be able to partner with, and support Caitlin with her bright career in karting. We’re working with her to develop a strength and conditioning training plan and schedule to help Caitlin become the best athlete and driver she can be, and that’s already showing in her track times.”
It may only have been a little over a year since she first took the wheel but she knows a racing career is her ultimate goal.
She said: “I am on a journey, learning my trade in karting and gaining more experience all the time. I know that I want a career in motorsport, and I am loving finding more and more about how the world of motor racing works and that will help shape my future direction.”
You can follow Caitlin on Instagram and Facebook
READ NEXT-
Sheku Bayho's behaviour before custody death linked to 'drug intoxication'
Caring Edinburgh woman gives a third of competition money to family and charity
Edinburgh emergency services race to car engulfed in flames on city bypass
Detailed Edinburgh photo montage shows every Princes Street shop in 1980
Edinburgh dad fears for family's health after asbestos discovered on high rise landing
