Ovie Iroro: Introducing Nigeria’s first race car driver

Apart from Ovie Iroro, for years Nigerians have been obsessed with motorsport, with a growing community of millions of fans from around the country.

The most dedicated fans fly out to places like Abu Dhabi to watch the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton battle out on track, with many more watching tentatively from back home.

There is also a thriving community of enthusiasts who organise and take part in unofficial racing events around Nigeria which is most evident in places like Lagos and Abuja.

Until very recently, there hasn’t been any Nigerian participation in professional motorsport.

There are many talented young Nigerians who have achieved impressive results in Go Karting but are left unable to progress due to a lack of infrastructure and funding for motorsport in Nigeria.

However there is an exciting young emerging talent currently racing in the United Kingdom – Ovie Iroro.

He started his motorsport journey here in Lagos, where he won the first ever Go Karting championship he entered in at the age of 16.

He later moved to the United Kingdom where he studied full time along with pursuing his racing career.

He also gained further Go Karting experience by competing in the Rye House club championship and winning the award for the top rookie.

In the meantime, Lewis Hamilton won his home British Grand Prix for the third year in a row on Sunday.

His Mercedes team mate and title rival Nico Rosberg finished second but was later demoted to 3rd position due to stewards’ penalty.

Hamilton led every lap of a race that started under the safety car in wet conditions but dried.

He alter secured his fourth home win, from pole position, was the 47th victory of Hamilton’s career and cut Rosberg’s overall lead to one point after 10 of 21 races.

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