Ponteland racer Matthew Graham is back behind the wheel after a two-year break - and has started the season in style with two wins and two podium finishes in two different championships.
Matthew, 25, started karting when he was only nine year old and has raced against and beaten many of the current F1 drivers, such as 2021 champion Max Verstappen, Alex Albon, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton's new Mercedes team mate George Russell as he rose through the junior ranks to become KIK FIA Asian Pacific champion in 2010 at 14 and KIK FIA World Champion in 2011, aged 15.
But a lack of funding meant that Matthew had to leave his pals behind at Formula 3 level, as the vast sums of money needed to compete at elite motorsports were beyond his means. Instead, he took a swerve to GT racing and is currently fighting for the Porsche Carrara Cup GB series, lying fifth in the standings just four points off the summit after the opening meetings of the season.
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Taking a win and a podium from two races at Donington Park in April, he scored further points at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit last weekend to maintain pace with the early-season leaders.
The Carrera Cup, part of the British Touring Car Championship (BTTC), celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and features 16 rounds on eight UK tracks, including Silverstone and Brands Hatch. Matthew, who races with Stockton-based Redline Racing, took the rookie title when he last took part in 2020, and has high hopes for this season following his flying start last weekend.
"It's great to be back behind the wheel and racing again, and two podium finishes was a fantastic start for me," said Matthew, who will next be in action at Oulton Park in Cheshire in mid-June.
And the former Ponteland High School pupil also returned to the British GT Championship at Silverstone for the first time since 2017. The most prestigious race of the British GT season, the Silverstone 500 is a three-hour endurance challenge at the home of British motorsport held on the full Grand Prix circuit.
"My main focus this year is the Porsche Carrera Cup GB series but I have been given a great opportunity to jump back into British GT, an endurance race championship.," he said. "I have raced in this series before and I’m enjoying being part of it again and to have made a good start with second place at the Silverstone 500.
And Matthew is still hoping to break into 'single seater' racing, if he can get funding in place to help him.
"It costs around £1.5m to compete in a full F2 season, which is just too far out of reach without extra financial support. My family just couldn't do it," he said. "Motorsport is a very expensive sport and there are many Formula 1 drivers who have been very lucky to compete in F1 as their families have been able to buy shares in certain teams to help their sons progress. It is very difficult to reach F1 without major financial support.”
