A-LEVEL student Sisa Ngebulana joined Bosworth from South Africa in 2014 to study A-levels on a part timetable. The main reason for this is Sisa, 17, is part of the McLaren Performance Academy run by McLaren’s Applied Technologies. He is one of only four drivers at the Academy and the competition for the seat was fierce, with over 30,000 worldwide candidates.
Sisa joined the Academy after two and a half years in karts, finishing third in the South African Regional Championship and fifth in the National Championship. Joining the BRDC F4 championship is the clear choice for any driver wanting to take their first steps into single-seaters.
Sisa said: “I am delighted to join HHC Motorsport; they have a fantastic record in all the series they compete in. Combining their knowledge and tuition during my test programme and with my planned driver development in the simulator, I am confident we can make really good progress throughout the season. My aim is to be inside the Top 10 in the championship when the season finishes.”
Sisa is currently studying Maths, Economics, Sociology and ICT at Bosworth. He enjoys the environment and the study hall sessions as it allows him to focus and complete his homework during the school day. Even though his dream is to drive for Formula 1, he is extremely grounded and recognises the need to continue with his studies and plans to complete a degree in Accounting or Economics whilst competing.
When asked who he admired most in the racing world, Sisa said: “Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton. Ayrton is considered to be the best driver Formula 1 has ever seen with a natural finesse but I like Lewis for his personality and have watched his progression and I admire what he has achieved.”
Sisa said his family are very much behind his sporting ambitions and go to watch him at every race. When asked about the pressure of competing and rising through the various ranks i.e. F4 to F3, GP2, Formula Renault 3 Litre and ultimately achieving F1, he explained: “I don’t really feel pressure except maybe if I have a weekend that hasn’t gone my way and I am not happy with my performance but while I am driving I am just thinking about the essentials, where I need to improve, how I rotated and so on, it is important to remain focused.”
Sisa is a boy with an “old head on young shoulders’ and while he is competitive there is no arrogance to him; he is instantly likeable. He said: “My dad has always taught me that being humble is the most important thing.” With such a strong role model, the college feels that whatever Sisa channels his energy into he will achieve and hopes to be tracking his progress in F1 all around the world for many years to come.
Follow Sisa’s progress at www.sisa37.com or find out more about Bosworth Independent College at www.bosworthcollege.com