Teen driver McNeilly aims for IndyCar Series spot

Liam McNeilly won five out of 16 races in the USF Juniors championship - sealing more victories than any other driver

Teenage driver Liam McNeilly is striving to make it to the IndyCar Series after an incredible run of results in the 2024 season.

The 18-year-old was named Rookie of the Year in the USF Juniors championship after winning five of his 16 races in the United States.

A remarkable campaign culminated in the teenager also landing pole position in his first race in the senior USF2000 - the second step on the path to the coveted IndyCar Series.

He finished runner-up in the Streets of Toronto race in Canada last month and said his experience in North America has been a hugely beneficial.

“It’s definitely a bit of a dream and a bit surreal really,” McNeilly told BBC Essex’s Sport Extra show.

“It was a good overall season for me and being top rookie for the championship just topped it all off.

“We’ve had some really good results this year and I’m already looking forward to next year now.”

McNeilly secured pole position in his first USF2000 street race in Toronto and finished second

McNeilly was born in Brentwood, less than 12 miles away from 19-year-old Formula 1 racer Oliver Bearman who is from Chelmsford.

But McNeilly is not planning on emulating Bearman just yet and is fully focused on making it to the top of the IndyCar circuit.

“I would love to get to Formula 1 but it’s just totally different to the IndyCar ladder,” he said.

“The IndyCar ladder is a lot more accessible for myself. I would love to continue out in America and keep going for it. That’s what I’m planning on doing.”

McNeilly started racing in 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 making the move to the high profile Road to Indy programme where he finished as runner-up in the overall USF Juniors standings and won more races than any other driver.

McNeilly is striving to make it to the IndyCar series

“I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing,” he added. “As long as I keep enjoying it and getting results, that’s the main goal really.”

McNeilly's dad Paul said results had surpassed expectations and the races had been “fantastic to watch”.

“The toughest one was to go out to Toronto on the street circuit,” he said.

“It’s very similar to Monaco, a very narrow street circuit and to get pole position was fantastic. It was in front of the IndyCar fans as well so it made it even more special.”