Luis Leeds, Aussie motorsport’s future, has Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel in his sights

THE future of Australian motorsport is a 15-year-old kid from Melbourne who’s already got hs sights set on trying to eclipse Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel.

Luis Leeds followed in the esteemed footsteps of Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and Vettel when he signed to join the Red Bull junior team late last year.

He had just won the the opening race of the new Mexican F4 series at the 2015 Mexican Grand Prix on a track he had never seen before.

“Late last year, I was racing in Mexico at the support race. It was the Formula 4 event at the grand prix. I won the event and Red Bull pulled me into their paddock and interviewed me, asked me a few questions — and two months later I’m a driver,” he explained of his rapid rise.

Truth be told, Red Bull had already done their homework on Leeds, analysing in-car footage of him as he traversed around the Gold Coast street circuit.

It’s a heady rise for someone who got his first taste of motorsport when he had a go in a rental kart at a friend’s birthday party when he was just 12 years old.

He’s recently just landed in Great Britain to get ready for a season of racing in the British MSA.

Leeds isn’t phased by living abroad at such a tender age, a situation his family life had prepared him for.

“I can sort of handle moving away from home,” he said. “I’ve been sort of independent throughout my life. Dad’s been working, he goes away a lot. My parents are divorced. I don’t spend a lot of time with my parents at the same time. It’s no biggie.”

What is big is Leeds’ ambitions. He’s already pinpointed some particularly arduous goals he wants to tick off.

“The dream is definitely to become the youngest F1 world champion,” he said. “And if not then I’d like to try and win as many championships as I can — try and top Schumi. See how close I can get to his record. That would be nice.”

Michael Schumacher is a seven-time F1 champion while the youngest champ was Vettel at 23.

Leeds’ idol is Australian Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo, who offered praise for the youngster with a word of warning that it is only going to get tougher from here on in.

“For Luis, obviously it’s awesome,” Ricciardo said. “Firstly to be involved in a such a program. It’s done wonders for me. It’s a massive step to where you want to go and where you want to be. But it’s not the final stop, so stay grounded.

“The program is tough. It’s pretty ruthless. If anything, all your hard work is going to be now. It’s going to be ahead of you.”

Leeds is certain to listen to the advice. After all, he follows his hero slavishly on television.

“Every time the grand prix is on, I stay up late just to watch him,” Leeds said. “That’s how much I like him.”