Who Was Joel Pearson? Wiki, Age, Parents, Girlfriend, Height & BIO Of F4 Racer
Joel Pearson was a young and talented British racing driver who competed in the Formula 4 Indian Championship. He tragically died on February 24, 2024.
He was only 19 years old. His death shocked and saddened the motorsport community, as well as his fans, friends, and family. In this article, we will explore his life, career, achievements, and legacy.
Early Life and Family
Joel was born on July 15, 2004, in London, England. He was the son of Steve Pearson, a former footballer who played for several clubs in England and Scotland, and Lesley-Anne Pearson, a nurse. He had a younger brother, Coby, who shared his passion for racing.
Joel Pearson developed an interest in cars and racing from an early age. He started karting when he was six years old and showed great potential and skill. He won several local and national championships in various karting categories. He also played video games, especially racing simulators, and dreamed of becoming a professional racer.
He attended Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff, where he excelled in academics and sports. He was a popular and friendly student who had many friends and hobbies. He loved music, movies, and traveling. He was also a fan of Formula 1 and idolized Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion.
Joel Pearson Wiki/Bio
| Name | Joel Pearson |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 15, 2004 |
| Place of Birth | London, England |
| Date of Death | February 24, 2024 |
| Place of Death | Madras International Circuit, India |
| Cause of Death | Racing accident |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Racing driver |
| Years Active | 2020-2024 |
| Teams | Carlin, Prema Powerteam, Hyderabad Blackbirds |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Podiums | 14 |
| Poles | 4 |
| Fastest Laps | 3 |
| Best Finish | 4th in 2020 British F4 Championship |
| Net Worth | £1.5 million |
| Parents | Steve Pearson and Lesley-Anne Pearson |
| Siblings | Coby Pearson |
| Girlfriend | Sophie Jones |
| joelpearson_racing | |
| JoelPearsonRacing joel.pearson.7549 | |
| Homepage | newsunzip.com |
Racing Career
Joel made his debut in single-seater racing in 2020, when he joined the British F4 Championship. He drove for the Carlin team, one of the most successful and prestigious teams in junior motorsport. He had a remarkable rookie season, scoring two wins, six podiums, and two pole positions. He finished fourth in the drivers’ standings, behind his teammate Zak O’Sullivan, who won the title.
In 2021, he moved to the Formula Regional European Championship, the second rung on the FIA’s single-seater ladder towards Formula 1. He raced for the Prema Powerteam, another renowned and dominant team in the category. He faced tough competition from his rivals, such as Arthur Leclerc, the brother of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc, and David Vidales, a former karting star. He managed to score one win, four podiums, and one pole position. He ended the season in sixth place, as Leclerc clinched the championship.
In 2022, he switched to the Formula 4 Indian Championship, a new and exciting series organized and promoted by Racing Promotions Private Limited (RPPL). He signed with the Hyderabad Blackbirds (HBB) team, which was owned by the famous Tollywood actor Akkineni Naga Chaitanya. He was paired with Jann Mardenborough, a British-Japanese driver who had a similar background as him, having started his career by winning the GT Academy competition, a contest that turned video gamers into real racers.
Rise To Fame
The Formula 4 Indian Championship was a one-of-a-kind, city-based franchise motorsport league that aimed to promote gender equality and provide equal opportunities to aspiring drivers. It featured eight teams, each representing a different city in India, and each having two drivers, one male and one female. The series raced in different circuits of India, including the Buddh International Circuit, the former venue of the Indian Grand Prix, and the Madras International Circuit, India’s first-ever street circuit.
Joel Pearson quickly adapted to the new environment and culture, and impressed everyone with his speed and talent. He won the first race of the season at the Buddh International Circuit, beating his teammate Mardenborough and his rival Leclerc, who had also joined the series with the Mumbai Falcons team. He followed that up with another win and two podiums in the next three rounds, establishing himself as a title contender. He was leading the drivers’ standings after four rounds, with 86 points, ahead of Leclerc, who had 78 points.
Racing Stats
| Year | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest laps | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Ginetta Junior | Elite Motorsport/R Racing | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 66 | 20th |
| 2019 | Ginetta Junior | R Racing | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 247 | 10th |
| 2020 | Ginetta Junior | R Racing | 18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 297 | 8th |
| 2021 | British F4 | Argenti Motorsport | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2022 | British F4 | Chris Dittmann Racing | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 16th |
Tragic Death
Joel Pearson was a British Formula 4 racer who died on February 22, 2024, at the age of 19. He had been battling with a rare form of bone cancer called pelvic osteoblastic osteosarcoma. He was diagnosed in January 2021, shortly after signing with Argenti Motorsport to race in British F4.
He underwent chemotherapy and carbon ion therapy, and managed to join the British F4 grid with Chris Dittmann Racing in 2022. However, he had to stop racing after breaking his thumb in a crash at Croft in round five. He did not recover from his injury and his condition worsened.
He passed away with his family and girlfriend by his side. He was remembered as a courageous and talented young driver who inspired many people with his determination and spirit. He also supported the Teenage Cancer Trust charity and raised funds for his treatment. He was a former Ginetta Junior racer who had two podiums and two fastest laps in 2020. He will be greatly missed by the motorsport community and his loved ones
Physical Stats
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 65 kg (143 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Blond |
| Eye Color | Blue |
Tributes and Legacy
Pearson’s death shocked and saddened the motorsport community, as well as his fans, friends, and family. He was widely regarded as one of the most promising and talented young drivers of his generation and had a bright future ahead of him.
He was also a kind, humble, and cheerful person, who had a positive impact on everyone he met. He was loved and admired by many, and all deeply felt his loss.
Net Worth and Income Sources
According to some sources, Joel Pearson’s net worth was estimated to be around £1.5 million, which he had accumulated from his racing contracts, sponsorships, and endorsements.
He was reportedly paid £500,000 per year by his team, the Hyderabad Blackbirds, in the Formula 4 Indian Championship. He also had deals with several brands, such as Red Bull, Puma, and Bose, which added to his income.
Girlfriend and Relationship
Joel was in a relationship with Sophie Jones, a British model and actress. They hit it off instantly and started dating soon after. They were often seen together at various events, such as races, parties, and premieres. They also shared their love and happiness on their social media accounts, where they posted cute and romantic photos and messages of each other.
