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Sport
By Clint Thomas

Is this the next Daniel Ricciardo? Perth teen in fast lane to success

Calan Williams has been offered a deal to race in Europe next year and is dreaming of winning an F1 title.

Calan Williams doesn't have his driver's licence, so he needs to get someone to drive him to the race track — but that hasn't stopped him becoming one of the rising stars of Australian motorsport.

In his first season racing against veterans of the sport, the 17-year-old high school student from Perth is dominating the Australian Formula Three Premier Series.

"It brings me that joy. It is just incredible to get in the car and just race around as fast as you can," Williams said.

It is just the beginning of what he hopes will be a long career in elite motorsport.

Williams has caught the eye of big European team Fortec and has been offered a contract for next year.

"My absolute dream would be to win the FIA Formula One Championship. That has been my goal since I was six years old," he said.

Williams does not have to look far for inspiration.

Both Williams and Formula One star Daniel Ricciardo started racing go-karts in Perth and launched their careers from the same garage at Barbagallo Raceway.

Williams would love to emulate Ricciardo.

"He is an incredible driver, an incredible guy as well and he is someone I look up to in all aspects of life," he said.

"If I could follow what he did that would be incredible.

Former F1 mechanic Brett Lupton has helped guide both Williams and Ricciardo.

"Daniel has proved if you chase your dream you never know where it will end," Lupton said.

"It is like anything — aim high and you can always come back a bit. Everyone has got the chance of being there."

But before all that, Williams needs to get through Year 12 at high school.

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