Jordan King’s status as one of the brightest young talents of his generation has been endorsed by British motorsport’s governing body, which has seen fit to elevate him within its ranks to its headlining MSA Team UK initiative.
King was appointed to the MSA Academy prior to the start of the 2012 season – his second in single-seaters and first in Europe – and over the intervening two years, he has benefitted from a wide and diverse range of activities including a visit to Chelsea Football Club’s state-of-the-art Academy, an experience that he admitted provided ‘a fascinating and invaluable insight into another ultra-professional sport from a privileged behind-the-scenes standpoint’.
The gifted Warwickshire ace has enjoyed a stellar maiden campaign at Formula 3 level with Carlin in 2013 – clinching the coveted British Formula Three International Series crown as a rookie, finishing an excellent sixth overall in the fiercely-contested FIA Formula 3 European Championship and setting no fewer than three fastest laps en route to a superb fifth position in the prestigious Macau F3 Grand Prix.
Those achievements have been far from lost on the MSA, which has deemed King’s performances worthy of promotion to its elite Team UK scheme for 2014. It is, he acknowledges, quite a distinction, and irrefutably another feather in his cap at the end of what has been a magnificent year.
“It feels brilliant!” enthused the 19-year-old British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC) SuperStar and former McLaren Autosport Award finalist. “It’s the next step up the ladder, another badge on the scout’s jersey, another milestone and another box ticked.
“In British motorsport terms, Team UK really is the pinnacle. Only nine drivers have been selected for next year, so it’s a tremendous honour – when you consider how many young racing drivers there are in this country, to be one of the chosen few by our national governing body really is something pretty special.
“I’ve learned so much already through being involved in the MSA structure as a member of the Academy, and as part of Team UK now, I’ll be able to really put all of the skills and knowledge that I’ve gained into practice. Motorsport is about so much more than just getting into the car and driving fast – especially these days. More than ever, teams are looking for the complete package – and that is what the MSA works so hard to reinforce.
“You need to be strong in every area – from physical fitness to mental fortitude, the mechanical and engineering side and just a general understanding of the sport. If you ease up even for just a second, there will be someone right behind you ready to seize your place – you have to make sure you are absolutely on top of your game in every single aspect at every single moment.”
As part of the Team UK national squad, King will receive expert coaching from the likes of 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours winner and erstwhile F1 driver David Brabham, rallying legends Nicky Grist and James Wozencroft and former UK Athletics performance director, Professor Dave Collins.
Not only that, but the rapid Stoneleigh-based hotshot and Hugo Boss brand ambassador will be able to take advantage of training camps, physical conditioning at the Porsche Performance Centre at Silverstone, the latest approach to sports psychology, sponsorship and networking seminars, exclusive tours of F1 factories, FIA World Rally Championship teams and leading component suppliers and access to some of the most sophisticated racing simulation equipment in the world.
MSA Performance Director and 2001 World Rally Championship-winning co-driver Robert Reid is convinced that inclusion in Team UK will make King an even more formidable all-round competitor.
“We’ve been working with Jordan within the MSA Academy for the last two years, and he has really impressed us with his approach and engagement,” affirmed Reid. “It’s great to see his continued progress with his championship win in British F3 and posting fastest lap and finishing as top rookie in the Macau Grand Prix.
“Jordan will now benefit from being part of the MSA Team UK programme, where he will be working directly with a performance manager to help him realise the potential he is showing and further his racing career.”
