Meet The Teen Formula 3 Driver From Westlake High

WESTLAKE, OH — John Paul Southern Jr. has been racing since he was just 5-years-old. He's a teenager now — and an award-winning racer. He's also the youngest competitor in the Formula 3 (F3) class main support races at the Formula 1 (F1) Pirelli 2018 United State Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

Southern, at just 16, already has a crowded trophy shelf. He's a five-time World Karting Association National Karting Champion. He's been driving professionally for two years and is part of the F3 Americas series — one rung on the ladder to F1.

Southern currently has six FIA super points, earned through competing in races. FIA is the global governing body of motorsports worldwide.

The teenager is a junior at Westlake High. When he's not taking classes, he's one of just 450 drivers in the world to have Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) super points necessary for earning an FIA Super License.

Southern Jr. is proud to be from Westlake and proud to represent the businesses that support his racing career, his father said.

“He is proud of Westlake and has chosen to keep that as the town he is identified with in his introductions and listings,” Southern Sr. said.

The teenager said his goal is to make to IndyCar or F1. His racing career is chronicled online, on YouTube, at this channel.

On top of being a professional driver, and full-time student, Southern also works with Westlake High's School Resource Officer Scott Fortkamp in supporting Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Check out one of Southern's races below.

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Photo from Westlake City Schools