by Young driver Liam McNeilly is pushing to make the step up to the IndyCar Series after an incredible run of results in the 2024 season.
The 18-year-old was named USF Juniors Rookie of the Year after winning five of his 16 races in the United States.
A remarkable campaign also culminated in the teenager taking pole position in his first race in the senior USF2000 class – the second step on the road to the coveted IndyCar Series.
He finished second in the Streets of Toronto race in Canada last month and said his experience in North America has been extremely beneficial.
“It’s a bit of a dream and a bit surreal really,” McNeilly told BBC Essex’s Sport Extra.
“It was a good season overall for me and being the best rookie for the championship just topped it off.
“We have achieved very good results this year and I am already looking forward to next year.”
McNeilly was born in Brentwood, less than 12 miles from 19-year-old Formula One driver Oliver Bearman, from Chelmsford.
But McNeilly has no plans to emulate Bearman just yet and is focused entirely on his goal of reaching the top of the IndyCar circuit.
“I would love to get to Formula 1, but it’s totally different to IndyCar,” he said.
“IndyCar is much more accessible to me. I would like to continue racing in America and fighting. That’s what I plan to do.”
McNeilly began racing karts at the age of seven and began competing in cars in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2020.
He then joined the GB4 Championship last year before moving to the top-level Road to Indy program where he finished second overall in the USF Juniors standings and won more races than any other driver.
“I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing,” he added. “As long as I keep enjoying it and getting results, that’s really my main goal.”
McNeilly’s father Paul said the results had exceeded expectations and the races had been “fantastic to watch”.
“The hardest part was going to Toronto on the street circuit,” he said.
“It’s a very similar circuit to Monaco, a very tight street circuit and to get pole position was fantastic. It was in front of the IndyCar fans too, which made it even more special.”
