WA young gun Noah Lisle out to be next Daniel Ricciardo, Formula One star

Perth motorsport fans have long been on the lookout for the next Daniel Ricciardo, and we may have found him.

West Australian fans were left devastated by the Ricciardo’s unceremonious exit from the elite ranks, cut mid-season by Racing Bulls in 2024.

But they may not have long to wait before their next homegrown racing hero steps onto the grand stage, with 18-year-old Perth product Noah Lisle a chance to race at the Australian Grand Prix as soon as next year.

Lisle’s parents may not have entirely trusted their son when, at seven years old, he declared he would be one of the world’s 20 elite race car drivers.

There’s no denying the results, though, as their son secured two second-place finishes in his maiden GB3 Championship race weekend this month.

“It’s always been my dream to reach Formula One,” Lisle told The West Australian.

“I’m doing everything I can to make that happen, and I’m fortunate to have had some backers to get me to where I am now, but ultimately, we need to keep progressing on and off the track to take that next step.

“There are two more steps for me to take (before Formula One) and that’s going to be anywhere in the next two to four years, I think.”

Lisle and his family made the bold move to the United Kingdom when he was 14 after COVID-19 spoiled his chances of an international karting career.

The setback was short-lived, Lisle progressing through the Formula 4 ranks in his first season, racing in the UK and Spain.

“I got stuck in Perth for a good couple of years and missed out on an international karting career, which is something I would have liked to have done and really could have helped my development a lot,” he said.

“It would have sped things up when I did make the transition over here, but I kind of refocused on making my single-seater debut when I was 15.

“It was a huge shock to the system and a step up from anything I’d done before. I went from competing against the best in Australia to some of the best in the world.

“I’ve grown up watching a lot of the kids I’m racing against now, almost looking up to them, and then to come here and be racing against them, holding my own, is a pretty crazy feeling, especially coming from Perth.

“It’s been a phenomenal journey.”

Lisle claimed multiple podiums and three victories at F4 level and took a UK record for “longest-ever race win”, but found the going tougher as he stepped up to Formula 3 Regional in 2024.

Driving for Campos Racing in Eurocup-3, the young gun experienced a season of learning that ultimately allowed him to bounce back this year in GB3.

And now, the 18-year-old aims to reach the FIA Formula 3 World Championships for next year, which would see him flying around official F1 circuits such as Melbourne’s Albert Park.

However, Lisle knows he must remain cutthroat and at the top of his game.

“At the end of the day, as much as you have teammates in these lower categories, you’re really looking after yourself, and if you don’t take that approach, then, unfortunately, you’re just going to get taken advantage of,” he said.

“It’s extremely cutthroat in any role, whether you’re a driver, a team manager, or working at a race team. It’s just the way it is at the end of the day, and if you don’t, you probably won’t succeed.”

The Perth product has also had plenty of inspiration and revealed he was closely watching current F1 championship leader and Melbourne-born ace Oscar Piastri as he attempts to emulate his rockstar journey.

“When I grew up, I was always watching Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull,” he said.

“I certainly supported him and looked up to him when I was younger, but I’d say more recently Oscar Piastri, just because he’s that bit closer in age to me.

“And watching him on a very similar path to me progress up the ranks and now having some success at the top level of motorsport is really cool to see.

“I try to take as much inspiration from him as I can.”

While many fans are quick to celebrate the glitz and glamour of motorsport, Lisle provided an insight into some of the sacrifices he and his family have made in pursuit of lofty ambitions.

“It was a tough decision (leaving home). You’re essentially giving up on a traditional upbringing,” he said.

“I dropped out of full-time school when I was in year nine and then transitioned into online school, and then when I started doing a bit better over here, I dropped out completely halfway through year 11, so it’s some huge decisions.

“But it is one I am very thankful for.

“Also, probably something that goes under the radar, but I spend a lot of time getting physically ready to drive these cars - it’s not easy.”

But if all the hard work and sacrifices pay off, there could just be a lucrative F1 dotted line waiting on the horizon.

“If you get the results, you’ll 100 per cent be in contact with those (F1) teams,” Lisle said.

“It’s not always the best thing for a driver to align themselves with an F1 team so early in their career. Even if it’s on the table, you need to consider what’s best for you, but the level that I’m at, I’m racing against multiple F1 junior drivers.

“If you do well in any competitive category over here, that’s always on the horizon.”

ANYONE WISHING TO SUPPORT NOAH LISLE CAN DO SO HERE