A talented Lanarkshire teenager is racing his way through his dream career after being promoted to a main driver for McLaren's online racing team.
Wilson Hughes was only recruited in their academy last year, but has accelerated his way to pole position by impressing many in the world of the virtual sport.
The 17-year-old former Hamilton College pupil was announced in the Formula 1 big hitters' three-man line-up this week and is now tasked with bringing home a prize pot of up to three quarters of a million dollars.
Looking back on a year of hard graft and determination working for McLaren, Wilson has loved every minute and can't wait for the season to get underway this week.
The promotion not only brings a bigger salary, but countless of huge opportunities in the world of online gaming, as well as competing for big cash prizes.
One of his most memorable achievements during his academy year was earning his place at an event at Silverstone, home of the British Grand Prix.
There, Wilson was able to show off his skills behind the wheel and compete with the elite of esports in a championship hosted by F1. He finished fifth out of 30 drivers on the day.
Speaking with Lanarkshire Live, Wilson said: “This honestly brings some of the best opportunities you can imagine.
"As a main driver you get the chance to race in the pro series and compete for $750,000, you’re on a bigger pay cheque which is always nice, and just massive opportunities everywhere.
“Being an academy driver is great but getting that next step up has made everything real and realistic to look at in a dream point of view and career point of view.
"It makes everything easier on the eye to see this going somewhere in the future.
“At the end of the day I’m only 17 so a career choice such as racing is quite a risky one. But when you get to this stage you can say everything is going to plan. It’s more publicity as well and gives you a foundation to stand up."
Wilson’s virtual race car (known as a rig) is set up at home in Symington and mirrors that of a real F1 vehicle with the same seat, steering wheel, pedals and controls. He can spend up to eight hours a day racing, analysing data and working with the McLaren team.
The current season lasts until December, with races and championships broadcast live on Sky Sports.
This is where Wilson's supportive parents are able to cheer him on.
He added: “I’m really looking forward to the new season, a bit nervous but that’s normal.
“My family have been really supportive. I couldn’t have a better mum and dad for how they’ve supported me.
"Even after bad races I couldn’t have better parents for being there for me.
“The championship coming up is on Sky Sports so they’re able to watch it live, and I think they get more stressed than me watching it in all honesty."
With a big few months ahead, Wilson is hopeful his team are on the right track to success.
He explained: "McLaren is looking in a very good position at this stage.
"We don’t want to get too complacent but the work that’s been put in so far has been extremely promising and the pre-season tests have looked really good.
“We’re competing against all the Formula 1 teams that you see on the grid such as Ferrari and Red Bull who all have three drivers as well. It’s always a 20-man grid but the teams can always fluctuate their drivers."
Despite the glamour of what is already a very promising career, Wilson highlighted the mental toll his dedication to the sport has taken, especially during a crucial championship earlier this year.
“It’s been overwhelming", he said. "When I went into the championship for the pro licence everything got more surreal because you knew you were fighting for a main seat.
“During that championship I don’t remember ever being more mentally destroyed in my life in all honesty. It was very mentally challenging, I think I underestimated it.
“It got to the end of it and I was on the brink of dropping out of the top six and losing my pro licence.
“So I think it’s important to let people know that yes it’s a great job driving in a sim which is amazing at times, but at the times where you’re literally fighting for your career, in those moments when you have one lap to get a certain lap time in, and if you don’t then that’s your career gone, it’s probably the most stressful time a 17-year-old can go through in a sport.
“It was not fun that part, but coming out the other side made me appreciate how lucky I am to have a main seat.
"Those dark days make the sun shine even brighter so it was definitely an eye-opener."
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