Rachel Allen's son Lucca on the track to success

It’s the perfect recipe for success — youth, drive, talent, hunger, impatience and model good looks. And of course, a family of superstar chefs behind the scenes doesn’t hurt.

Lucca Allen has all the ingredients to fulfil his dream of becoming a Formula 1 race driver, and like most 11-year-olds, he’s anxious to get going. But unlike most boys his age, he knows exactly where he’s headed.

“I hope to make it to Formula 1 one day. I want to be world champion.”

The son of celebrity chef Rachel Allen, Lucca doesn’t lack ambition. And he has the skill to back it up. He began racing karts at nine, and last year won the Munster Championship, the Irish Open, and in finishing 3rd overall in Ireland he was named the most improved junior driver of the year.

Back behind the wheel this weekend as the Kart Racing Championship kicks-off in Watergrasshill in Cork, Lucca is, well, mad for road.

“My aim for this year is to win the cadet championship. Then over the winter, test in the mini-max (the next level up) and hopefully do well in that.

“If I can win the Cadet championship with a few races to go, I will hopefully get a chance to race in the mini-max and take it from there.”

He shares his love of cars with his dad Isaac, and the two plan to take in a Formula 1 Grad Prix this year to see how the big boys do it.

It was through one of his dad’s friends that he met Noel Brennan, team manager of Brennan Tech Racing two years ago and he’s been enjoying life in the fast lane ever since.

“I like racing because it is so competitive. I try to listen to the mechanic to pick up tips and stuff — but I’m not that big into that side of it.

“I’ve done well so far, thanks to my team manager and my mechanic. They help me through the races along with my dad. All the support I get makes me more confident.”

But what about the danger? And what does his mother make of it all.

“I tend not to get nervous on the track. I always feel safe behind the wheel but accidents can happen. I haven’t had any major accidents but I’ve had a few minor ones.

“My mum gets sort of nervous sometimes when I go racing, but she’s fine most of the time. She’s very supportive.”

His heroes are Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna because as he says, they achieved what many thought could not been done. Something Lucca is anxious to do himself.