Wolverhampton karter Jack Parker is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Britain’s newest sporting superstar Lewis Hamilton.

The 12-year-old has overcome personal heartache to rise through the ranks in the same kart class where a young Hamilton made his name.

Jack said Lewis’ achievement since starting in Formula One had inspired him. “He’s the greatest person in the world,” said the Brewood Middle School pupil. “It just builds up my confidence thinking I can get to the top.”

Jack lost his mother Vicky to a brain tumour in November after a five-year battle against the disease.

He is supported by his father Philip, who spends £30,000 a year on the sport.

Mr Parker said: “He does it for his mother. He is just like his mother. He is a lovely lad but then he puts his helmet on, the red mist comes down and he is really competitive.”

Mr Parker said his son looked up to Hamilton, who has taken the Formula One world by storm this year.

“Jack has met him at the NEC and we have watched Lewis race at different places,” he added.

Mr Parker owns Sandeford Farm Cafe on the A449, opposite the Harriers pub, and a scrapyard in Walsall.

Jack started karting at the age of seven and keeps fit by biking the four miles to school every day.

He started in the JICA competition – the most powerful class in junior karting – a year early after getting a special licence. The powerful karts are only supposed to be driven by youngsters aged 13 or over and most of Jack’s rivals are 15 or 16.

Organisers granted Jack a licence because of his experience in karting and he is lying eighth out of 50 in the championship.

It has not been all plain sailing and the youngster had massive accident at a race in Cambridge where he hurt his leg after crashing into a barrier at 75mph.