McLaren Formula E driver Jake Hughes says he finds it “crazy” how far he’s come after starting his racing career at the age of 16.
Hughes has been one of the standout drivers of the 2022/23 season, showing strong speed – particularly across one lap.
Sitting 10th in the championship, just eight points behind team-mate Rene Rast, Hughes has had one of the most consistent qualifying performances in the series.
Within three races, Hughes claimed McLaren’s first pole position in the championship.
Hughes had a late start to his motorsport career in comparison to his peers, starting karting at 16. The Birmingham-born racer spent three years karting before progressing up to cars.
“I tend not to look back at that time too often, but I suppose, when I’m prompted, it’s crazy how far I’ve come in some ways,” Hughes told Motorsport Week.
He won the British Formula 4 championship in 2013 with Lanan Racing in his debut season in single-seaters, picking up four race wins and six podiums.
It wasn’t until this win that Hughes realised the talent to make it somewhere in the sport.
“I don’t think I really truthfully knew I was that good and therefore had enough necessary confidence to go out there and get to the level I am now.
“I think winning that championship really made me realise that I do have the talent for this sport and it was just a matter of just working hard and hopefully having the financial means to go out and show it.”
Hughes continued to show his talents through Formula Renault and GP3, coming toe to toe with names such as Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon and Nyck De Vries.
Hughes would have to accept he would not be able to fight at the sharp end of the series moving forward, with budgets only stretching so far.
“I’d say 2017 to 2021 was tough. Whilst I was privileged enough to be on the grid in Formula 3 for a number of years and then eventually get to do some Formula 2 races, at the same time I was never in a position to be able to go and win championships with the packages I had.
“So, when I look back to that era, to now realise I overcome that a little bit and managed to get through the junior formula and land such a prestigious seat as a McLaren Formula E driver, I’m over the moon with it.”
However, Hughes didn’t let this demotivate him, fighting his way to several wins in FIA Formula 3 and finishing seventh in both full seasons he did in the championship.
Hughes made the gamble to leave Formula 2 midway through the 2022 season to focus on his reserve role in Formula E, which eventually enabled him to be signed with McLaren for 2023.
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