Karting icon and multiple times World Champion Mike Wilson has passed away.
Born in the UK in 1959, Wilson began racing karts at eleven. His early promise quickly translated into results, and in 1978 he left the UK for Italy — the heartland of international kart racing — to compete as a factory driver under the banner of Parilla engines with Birel chassis.
Wilson’s competitive peak came in the 1980s when the 135cc Formula K category emerged as the pinnacle of international karting. He claimed the FIA Karting World Championship an unprecedented six times (1981, 82, 83, 85, 88, 89) cementing him as the most decorated driver in the sport.
After his driving career closed, Wilson put his name to his own chassis, MW, from 1990 to 2006. Fernando Alonso was one of his star drivers.
Wilson became sought-after for his ability to nurture young talent. Some of the drivers he worked with include Lance Stroll, Alex Powell and Australia’s James Wharton.
In later years he was involved in development programs such as that with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
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“Mike Wilson you will be missed on so many levels by many. Especially by James and the team around him” Shane Wharton (James’ dad) posted.
“Your knowledge, your nature have build so many great drivers. Our thoughts are with your family. Till we meet again thank you Mike.”
- an FIA interview with Mike Wilson from 2020 HERE. (“Today, young drivers are going to cars too early.”)
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