ANTHONY HAMILTON, the dad of seven-time world champion Lewis, has announced plans to launch a new motorsport series.
The 65-year-old promises “real racing, real talent, real skill and proper sound” from the project.
The focus of the series is on motorsport’s beloved V8 and V10 engines, something F1 has no plans to return anytime soon.
There is also an emphasis on drivers earning their seats not buying them, with F1 often branded as a billionaire boys’ club.
Anthony worked multiple jobs, emptied his savings and took out a second mortgage to help Lewis chase his dream.
Meanwhile current F1 world champion Lando Norris was born into a family with multimillionaire father Adam, who was once named on the Sunday Times Rich List.
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Elsewhere, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll is the son of the team’s billionaire owner Lawrence.
The series is set to include two divisions of single-seater racing with a HybridV10 championship and a HybridV8 category.
HybridV10 will be the main event and in essence is a two-tier single-seater racing championship.
There are plans for 12 teams and 24 drivers to race in each category, meaning 48 race seats in total.
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No drivers or teams have been confirmed yet.
Hamilton’s series will not be connected, affiliated or endorsed by the FIA or F1.
Instead, the Hybrid World Commission has been touted as an independent governing body to oversee the series.
There are plans for the event to run as a national motorsport festival weekend over three days.
Fridays would be used as a “technology and innovation showcase” for manufacturers, partners and suppliers.
On Saturday, a full competitive V8 programme would take place supported by STEM initiatives, apprenticeships and local cultural celebration.
Like in F1, Sunday would focus on the headline race – the HybridV10.
Driver selection will be managed by a new Motorsport Draft League with drivers having to be aged 20 or over and hold a ‘Hybrid Super Licence’.
Drivers will earn points for the license through race results in approved categories, simulator performance and testing, education and technical knowledge, fitness and discipline and their professional behaviour and teamwork.
The venues could be FIA Grade 1-standard venues and leading tracks that are not used on the current F1 calendar.
