Australian karting star joins Liam Lawson’s development program earlier than expected, aiming for F1 success
Australian karting star Sebastian Eskandari Marandi has a big goal: to become a Formula 1 world champion. He just joined the same development program that helped New Zealander Liam Lawson reach F1. Sebastian is working with Rodin Cars and taking part in their F4 testing program as a wild card, along with Formula Ford champ Marco Manson. This is all part of a partnership with Motorsport New Zealand called ‘Formula Ford to Formula 1’.
At just 13 years old, Sebastian is clear about his dream and isn’t afraid to say it: he wants to race and win in F1. Already making a name for himself, he finished second in his first New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, even though he was only 12 when the season started. That’s faster progress than most would expect!
In an interview with Australia’s 10 Sport, he said, “When you’re driving, any speed feels the same and you just focus on the next corner.” Sebastian is moving up the ranks quickly, signing with Rodin two years earlier than usual. He can’t legally drive on roads yet and won’t be able to race in Australia until he turns 15, but nothing is stopping him.
Rodin Cars also helped Liam Lawson along his path. Lawson joined Red Bull at 17 and got support from Rodin through F3 and F2 before making it to F1. He has raced regularly for Red Bull and even stepped in for an injured driver in several Grands Prix in 2026.
In Formula 1 history, 19 Australians have raced. The first was Tony Gaze, a World War II pilot, who started three races in 1952. Today, Australia is represented by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Haas’s reserve driver Jack Doohan. The most successful Australian driver was Jack Brabham, a three-time world champ and founder of a famous British team. Alan Jones was Australia’s other world champion, winning in 1980, while Mark Webber and Daniel Ricciardo both raced in over 200 Grands Prix.
The F1 season usually kicks off in Melbourne, where the Australian Grand Prix has been held since 2004 (except during Covid). No Australian has won the race since Alan Jones did in 1980 at Calder Park Raceway, but before that, winners were mostly Australian or British.