A 12-year-old boy from Croydon is ready to set the karting world alight as he aims to follow in the footsteps of his hero Lewis Hamilton.

Elmgreen School pupil David Manuwa races in the Daytona Cadet InKart Championships at Sandown Park and sits 10th overall after six of the 11 rounds, with round seven this Sunday.

He has finished third, first and second in the past three races despite racing against boys older than him in the cadet event for eight to 16-year-olds, and he is already hopeful of a move to the junior championships next season, if he can secure a place in a team with sponsorship.

"My dad will talk to the team and see what happens," he said.

"Hopefully, something will come up and I can go up to the next level.

"I love the speed, the turning and the thrill of it all. There is lots of competition and it’s been a big challenge.

"My dream is to become a successful Formula One driver."

Manuwa took up karting when his father, Orioye, took him to the indoor track in Streatham for this eighth birthday - the same age when Hamilton began karting before going on to win the Formula One World Championships.