FRASER SHEADER

THE TALENT THAT F1 DIDN’T MANAGE TO HOLD ON TO

It all starts with two statements. In two different moments and places, Lando Norris (F1 driver) and Tim Gillard (historic kart builder and founder of the Gillard brand, recently sold to OTK Kart Group) were asked the same question: "Is there a driver among those you have known and seen racing who has not succeeded in motorsport, but who would have deserved to reach even F1?”. And both, surprisingly, give the same monolithic answer: Fraser Sheader. Nothing to say. Because, despite following the world of karting for 15 years, in the editorial staff of TKART, this name... does not say much. And because the names you expect are those of the karting champions of the 1980s and 1990s (for further information read "Special - Top kart drivers of the 80s and 90s"), who seemed destined for a future as protagonists in the premier class, but then, for one reason or another, never drove an F1 car. Yet, Fraser Sheader, born in 1983, has been into engines for a lifetime and he can go really fast with a steering wheel in his hands (the proof is in the pudding). Norris knows this well, seeing Fraser as his manager. And Gillard is also well aware of this, as he saw Fraser as one of his exceptional drivers. “I think Lando was joking - Sheader chuckles as he comments on his “nomination” by the F1 driver - but it's still nice to be mentioned. I am continually asked questions about my karting races with Lewis (Hamilton, editor's note), but I think he was much more talented than me and he deserved to get where he is.