New Zealand racing driver (born 2008)
Sebastian Manson (born 7 February 2008) is a racing driver from New Zealand who is set to compete in the USF Pro 2000 Championship with TJ Speed Motorsports.[1] He previously competed in the 2024 Formula Regional Japanese Championship.[2]
Career
Karting
Manson has had a decorated karting career in his country, with two major titles coming in 2020 and 2022.[3][4] He competed in karting in 2022 and 2023, whilst also competing in Formula Ford.[2]
2022
Manson debuted in Formula Ford in 2022, at the age of 14. His best championship results were finishing 4th in both the North Island Series and the Manfeild Winter Series. In the latter series, he managed three wins from six races, as well as four podiums.[2]
2023
In 2023, Manson had a campaign that largely resembled his 2022, once again with two fourth-placed finishes in the New Zealand Championship and also in the Manfeild Winter Series.[2]
2024
Manson has so far had a superb 2024, and overall he has amassed 26 wins in 38 races in the New Zealand Championship and the North and South Island Series. This has proved to be a breakthrough year for Manson so far, as he won 8 and recorded 12 podiums in the North Island Series, and has already finished second in the New Zealand Championship, and has won the South Island Series.[2]
In early 2024, it was announced that Manson would be contesting the final two rounds of the 2024 Formula Regional Oceania Championship, with Giles Motorsport, as he turned 16 and was eligible for the championship.[5] He competed in the New Zealand Grand Prix weekend, with a best result of 8th at Highlands Motorsport Park.[6] Manson was then selected by the Birth Racing Project alongside Aussie Jesse Lacey to race in the 2024 Formula Regional Japanese Championship.[7] He secured his first pole position at Sugo, in the second round of the championship.[8]
USF Pro 2000 Championship
On December 17, 2024, it was announced Manson would join the 2025 grid with TJ Speed Motorsports.[9]
Karting record
Karting career summary
| Season
|
Series
|
Team
|
Position
|
| 2015
|
Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Cadet
|
|
15th
|
| Kartsport NZ North Island Sprint Championship - Cadet
|
|
15th
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Cadet Raket
|
|
6th
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Cadet Rok
|
|
7th
|
| 47th Blossom Festival - Cadet
|
|
8th
|
| 2016
|
Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Cadet
|
|
14th
|
| Kartsport NZ North Island Sprint Championship - Cadet
|
|
5th
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Cadet Rok
|
|
5th
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Cadet Raket
|
|
4th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Cadet
|
|
6th
|
| 48th Blossom Festival - Cadet
|
|
8th
|
| 2017
|
Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Cadet
|
|
8th
|
| NZ Top Half Series - Mini Rok
|
|
NC
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Cadet Rok
|
|
3rd
|
| Kartsport Auckland City of Sails - Cadet Rok
|
|
5th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Cadet
|
|
7th
|
| 49th Blossom Festival - Mini Rok
|
|
6th
|
| 2018
|
Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Mini Rok
|
|
3rd
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Mini Rok
|
|
5th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Mini Rok
|
|
5th
|
| Kartsport Auckland Regional Schools Championship - Mini Rok
|
|
2nd
|
| 2019
|
Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Mini Rok
|
|
23rd
|
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals - Mini Max
|
Luke Manson
|
5th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Mini Rok
|
|
3rd
|
| 2020
|
Kartsport Auckland City of Sails - Rotax Junior
|
|
7th
|
| Kartsport NZ North Island Sprint Championship - Rotax Junior
|
|
7th
|
| 52nd Blossom Festival - Rotax Junior
|
|
1st
|
| 2021
|
Kartsport Auckland City of Sails - Rotax Junior
|
|
2nd
|
| Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Rotax Junior
|
|
2nd
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Rotax Junior
|
|
16th
|
| NZ Top Half Series - Rotax Junior
|
|
NC
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Rotax Junior
|
|
7th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Junior Rok
|
|
2nd
|
| 2022
|
Kartsport Auckland City of Sails - Rotax Junior
|
|
5th
|
| Kartsport Auckland City of Sails - Junior Rok
|
|
4th
|
| CIK Trophy of New Zealand - Junior Rok
|
|
1st
|
| Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Rotax Junior
|
|
11th
|
| NZ Top Half Series - Rotax Junior
|
|
32nd
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Rotax Junior
|
|
12th
|
| Australian Kart Championship - KA2
|
|
33rd
|
| Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Junior Rok
|
|
7th
|
| WSK Final Cup - OK
|
IPK Official Racing Team
|
38th
|
| 2023
|
Kartsport Auckland City of Sails - KZ2
|
Manson Racing
|
8th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Rotax Light
|
|
25th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - KZ2
|
|
5th
|
| Kartstars New Zealand - Rotax Light
|
|
46th
|
| Kartstars New Zealand - Senior Rok
|
|
17th
|
| Kartstars New Zealand - KZ2
|
|
14th
|
| Kartsport NZ National Schools Championship - Rotax Light
|
Saint Kentigern College
|
2nd
|
| Kartsport NZ National Sprint Championship - Senior Rok
|
|
11th
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - Rotax Light
|
|
32nd
|
| Kartsport Auckland Club Point Series - KZ2
|
|
3rd
|
| Sources:[2][10]
|
Racing record
Racing career summary
† - As Manson was a guest driver, he was ineligible for championship points.
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
References
