IT is no secret that Jamaican sensation Alex Powell is considered one of the risings stars on the FIA European Karting Circuit.

Over the past few years Powell’s passion for driving and his desire to improve have been significantly intensified as he continues to demonstrate a great deal of focus and seriousness about his craft.

Jamaica Karting Association (JKA) President Rugie Misir knows all too well about the grit and stubborn determination Powell possesses, having witnessed the same fire in his own daughter Sara Misir before she became the first Caribbean female to qualify for the Formula Woman series.

It is for that reason the senior Misir is backing the American-born Powell to build on his historic exploits as he continues to chart a course towards his dream of competing on the Formula One (F1) stage.

After blazing the trail in the junior OK division, Powell, a Mercedes-AMG F1 protege, transitioned to the more competitive senior OK category seven months ago, where he again placed his immense potential on display.

He won two races in the ultra-competitive four-race FIA Karting European Championships, while placing third in another.

“I personally think that Alex is the number one driver in the world at this time, and the fact that Mercedes signed him at 11 years old speaks volumes of his talent.

“He is ahead of Lewis Hamilton who signed with Mercedes at 13 so it’s just about maturity and further development because Alex is indeed a World Champion in the making — and that is just the facts,” Misir told the Jamaica Observer.

“I do believe that Mercedes will have a proper programme in store for him to take him to Formula 4, Formula 3 and then Formula 1 — as long as he can manage each one of the steps as he goes along — so I look forward to many more impressive performances and victories from Alex,” he added.

In his latest historic feat Powell recently outclassed a field in the 24-lap, final-round European Championship event in Franciacort, Italy, but just missed out on being crowned overall European Champion.

Powell entered that race knowing only a win would be good enough in the battle for the coveted title of European Champion, provided his closest rivals Joseph Turney and Kean Nakamura-Berta, both of Great Britain, finished farther than second.

However, while the Jamaican was on his way to victory with Nakamura-Berta in third and Turney some ways back, Frenchman Evan Giltaire, who was second for most of the way, waved Nakamura-Berta by to take second position and with it, the overall championship, denying Powell by two points.

Powell’s victory saw him to 80 points to Nakamura-Berta’s 82 points, with Turney, who finished down the track, placing third overall on 79 points.

It was later revealed that with Powell, Nakamura-Berta and Giltaire all representing Kart Republic Motorsport, the decision was taken for the Frenchman to allow Nakamura-Berta by in order for the team to finish one-two in the championship.

Much like it did for the young driver and his father John Powell, the manner in which the race unfolded behind Powell left a bitter taste in Misir’s mouth.

“I think the politics that be is an ever-present scenario in everything — and it cost Alex. He drove a flawless race in the final and got the win and unfortunately, couldn’t get the overall championship honours for obvious reasons,” a disappointed Misir said.

“I think driving orders should have been absent and the merit of each performer would have been its own reward,” he noted.

Still, the JKA president believes Powell has given Jamaicans much to be proud of, particularly aspiring drivers, as he continues to add impetus to sport locally.

“Never has it ever been a non-European driver making the podium in a senior race, and we are talking about Alex Powell who learned to drive in a parking lot in Trinidad and Tobago and then came to Jamaica on Palisadoes to a go-kart track.

“He went to United States where he was top driver and then went Europe to realise his dream and experience different driving styles — and he has no doubt made a name for himself. So if I was to give him a ranking in the world today I would say, number one,” Misir stated.

“We are absolutely proud of his accomplishments. He has done the Jamaica Karting Association and Jamaica proud and I know his father John Powell is also proud,” he ended.

Powell will next be in action to vie for the more prestigious FIA Karting World Championships scheduled for September in Sarno, Italy, where he will attempt to push the limits to again rewrite the history books.