SEBASTIAN MANSON
17 year old New Zealand Racing Driver competing in the 2025 USF Pro 2000
At just five years old, the young New Zealand native discovered his passion for karting after a day at the Mount Wellington kart track with his father. Since that first experience behind the wheel, Sebastian has remained dedicated to pursuing his dream of competing at the highest level in motorsports, with his sights set on the IndyCar stage.
Between the ages of seven and 14, Sebastian ran an extensive career in karting, securing multiple victories and podium finishes over seven years. His success is highlighted by winning the New Zealand Karting Grand Prix in Junior ROK in 2022.
Transitioning to single-seaters in 2022, he quickly established himself as a rising talent, securing podiums and victories in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship and Giltrap Group North Island Formula Ford Championship. His move to Formula Ford saw him quickly establish himself as a formidable competitor, accomplishing multiple race successes between 2022 and 2024. His breakthrough came in 2024 when he amassed 26 victories across the New Zealand Championship and the North and South Island Series, winning the latter and finishing runner-up in the national standings.
In 2024, Manson expanded his career internationally, competing in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship and later in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship, finishing second with six podiums and two pole positions. Additionally, he claimed second in the Napa Auto Parts New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, earning seven race wins and four additional podiums. His dominance in Formula Ford was further demonstrated by winning the South Island Formula Ford Championship with 14 wins from 17 races.
In 2025, Sebastian finished sixth in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship with a pair of victories in reverse-grid races. His rapid rise led to an opportunity with TJ Speed Motorsports, where he now sets his sights on making an impact in the highly competitive 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship, aiming for even greater achievements on the international stage.
RACING TIMELINE
2013- 2022
Karting Years
2021- 2022
New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
North Island Formula Ford Series
Formula Ford Manfeild Winter Series
2023
New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
North Island Formula Ford Series
South Island Formula Ford Championship
2024
Champion: South Island Formula Ford Championship
Vice Champion: New Zealand Formula Ford Championship
Vice Champion: Formula Regional Japanese Championship
North Island Formula Ford Series
Formula Regional Oceania Championship Debut
2025
Formula Regional Oceania Championship
USF Pro 2000 Championship
Formative years of racing in karts around Australia and New Zealand.
Most noteworthy, in 2020, Sebastian won the 52nd Blossom Festival karting event in Rotax Junior. The next year he had two second place finishes in the Kartsport Auckland City of Sails and the New Zealand National Sprint Championship, and finished out 2022 by winning the New Zealand Karting Grand Prix in Junior ROK.
Following an impressive karting career, Sebasatian made his first debut in car racing in 2021 where he participated in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, scoring a first podium finish in the final round at Ruapuna. He then went on to participate in the North Island Formula Ford Series with one win and six additional podium finishes, securing 4th place overall.
After a strong start to car racing, Sebastian became one of the youngest drivers in history to graduate from the New Zealand Elite MotorSport Academy, a world-renowned development program for motorsport competitors in New Zealand.
With strong finishes in all Formula Ford series, of note, Sebastian finished fourth in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship with four podium finishes, 11 top-fives and one pole position.
He also participated in the Ferrari Academy Asia and Pacific camp, being named as one of the top six drivers.
2024 marked pivotal year characterized by significant achievements, securing 26 wins in 38 races. As a result, Sebastian became the South Island Formula Ford Champion, with an impressive record backing his victory of 14 wins from 17 races. He also achieved numerous race successes, including seven race wins and four additional podium finishes, in the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, coming in second overall. In the North Island Series, Manson won eight and recorded 12 podiums, further expanding his race career.
Sebastian made his debut in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, starting two of the five events, announced by Giles Motorsport as he turned 16 and was eligible for the championship. To conclude the year, Sebastian competed in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship, finishing second with six podium finishes and two pole positions.
At the start of 2025, Sebastian participated in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, placing sixth overall, with a pair of victories in reverse-grid races.
Marking a significant step in his international racing career, it was announced that Sebastian would join TJ Speed Motorsports to participate in the 2025 USF Pro 2000 Championship in the United States.
