Teenager Philip Gana, Nigeria’s first licensed kart racer, discusses his journey, his admiration for Lewis Hamilton, and what it means to represent Nigeria while living in England.
When asked what sparked his interest in racing instead of more common sports like football, Philip explained that he has always loved the sensation of speed. “I enjoy the feel of going fast, just like on rollercoasters,” he said. As a child he was fascinated by Formula 1, watched the races regularly, and eventually asked his parents for an F1 video game, which he quickly mastered. He also began karting on his birthdays with his dad and friends, performing well enough to know he wanted to become a professional. Together with his father, Philip contacted the Nigerian affiliate of the FIA—the Automobike and Touring Club of Nigeria—and secured a spot in the FIA Karting Academy in 2021.
Philip’s early experiences in European competition were challenging. “I started racing at top‑level European events where many drivers were national champions with two or three years of experience,” he recalled. “It was hard at first, but I’m improving each time I go out, thanks to feedback from my team and my dad.” In his most recent race he was only about a second and a half off the world’s fastest drivers. He began karting informally at eight years old, but turned professional at 13; he is now 15.
Competing in the IAME Euro Series in 2022 required Philip to travel to Spain and Belgium, a significant step up from the Academy. He moved into the senior field (14 and older) and raced against older competitors, some as old as 19 or 20. “It was difficult, but it pushed my development because I was racing against the fastest people in the world,” he said. In the 2021 FIA Karting Academy Trophy he finished around the middle of the pack in Germany, Italy and Sweden.
Being Nigeria’s first licensed kart driver in Europe fills Philip with pride. “I’m honored to represent Nigerians of all tribes, and that motivates me to keep going.” He comes from a supportive family: his father is from Kwara State, his mother from Niger State, he was born in Hungary, grew up in London, and has a brother named James.
Philip identifies the mental aspect of racing as the most challenging. “You have to bounce back from mistakes, stay level‑headed, and avoid getting too excited, because a single error can lead to a crash.” Physically, he must endure the strain of driving a high‑speed machine for 10–15 minutes. He has suffered only minor injuries, though a crash in Valencia left him with a bad case of whiplash.
His happiest moment was his first race in Germany, where he felt a surge of pride for himself and his family as the first Nigerian to compete in the FIA Karting Academy Trophy. Conversely, his saddest moment occurred in Sweden when an engine failure forced him to DNF, costing him two points that could have helped him reach the final.
Philip admits he felt some pressure before his first professional race, partly self‑imposed and partly from friends and family who expected strong results. His training combines core and upper‑body exercises, simulation work on a racing wheel, and repeated practice of tracks. While he does not have a dedicated coach, he is part of the Croc Promotion team, which offers technical advice and support.
His goals are straightforward: win championships, progress to Formula 1, Formula E, or another top‑level series, and eventually use his experience to work on or develop cars. Lewis Hamilton is one of his idols because Hamilton represents minorities and demonstrates that success is possible without a privileged background.
Kart racing is extremely cash‑intensive. A typical European race week can cost €10,000 or more when accounting for travel, vehicle transport, mechanics, tyres, fuel, spare parts, flights, accommodation and meals. Sponsorship has been hard to secure, but Philip’s team has been supported by KOCH Energy, a Nigerian company that has backed them since the Academy Trophy and the Euro Series and will continue into the 2023 season. The team is still seeking additional corporate sponsors in Nigeria, aiming for at least ten major partners for a successful season, and remains grateful for the support of family and friends over the past two years.
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