Stephen Simpson

Stephen Simpson (born 8 January 1984) is an A1 Grand Prix and Champ Car Atlantic Championship race car driver. Stephen is a resident of Cape Town in South Africa hence his connection to A1 Team South Africa.

Stephen was born on 8 January 1984 in Poole, Dorset, England and he moved to South Africa with his family when he was 10 months old. He studied at the South African College High School and matriculated in 2002.

Stephen began karting at the age of 8 and won several regional and national karting titles.

In 2000 Stephen became the youngest ever driver to win the South African Formula Ford Championship, at the age of 16. In 2001 Stephen left his native South Africa to compete in the Slick 50 Formula Ford Zetec Championship in Britain. Despite poor funding the youngster was highly impressive beating the 'works' teams on a number of occasions and culminating in being awarded the Motorsport News Race Ace award for his performance at Donington Park. He ended the season with a stirring performance in atrocious conditions at Brands Hatch in the Formula Ford Festival, an event previously won by Eddie Irvine and Johnny Herbert.

For 2002 Stephen was signed by Durango to compete in the European Formula Renault Championship and Italian Championship, however his season was dogged by bad luck and a serious lack of testing.

Just weeks before the 2003 season got underway, a potential sponsor pulled out, leaving Stephen high and dry, without a drive. Undaunted, the youngster concentrated on his fitness, and continued looking for the right drive.

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