It was in a quiet parking lot in Trinidad and Tobago that six-year-old Alex Powell gripped a steering wheel for the first time. The engine hummed beneath him, the asphalt stretched ahead, and with each cautious press of the accelerator, his dream began to take shape.
Today, at 17, the Jamaican sensation’s immense potential shines through like the noonday sun as he stands as the Vice Champion of the 2025 Formula 4 Middle East Championship, a Mercedes-AMG F1 protégé, and a beacon of hope for aspiring Caribbean racers.
Powell’s journey is as improbable as it is inspiring. For one, motorsports is not the most conventional path for a young Caribbean athlete, but Powell’s roots are steeped in speed. His father, John Powell, was a rally driver, and his cousin, Asafa Powell, held the title of the world’s fastest man for a time. Yet, it wasn’t just family legacy that pushed him forward—it was passion.
Young Alex Powell carries the Jamaican flag.
"When you start at such a young age, you never know where racing is going to take you. The goal was always to reach the highest levels, but to look back now, it’s really great. I’m super thankful, but I’m still aware there’s a long way to go, and I am open to the fact that a lot of things can happen, which we have pretty much seen so far in my career,” Powell told SportsMax.Tv from his base in Europe.
"It has been a long road, and it is great to be flying the Jamaican flag on the international stage, and I would like to continue for the years to come and hopefully open doors for the next generation of drivers to come,” the American-born driver added.
Powell’s first taste of competition was in Barbados, after which he took charge of the Palisadoes Go-Kart Track in Jamaica. From there, his talent quickly outgrew the region, and the United States provided his next proving ground, where he cemented himself as a top karting driver. But the true test came when he ventured to Europe, the heart of competitive motorsport.
"It was never an easy task,” Powell said, his admission followed by a deep sigh.
A young Alex Powell with one of his many karting trophies.
"I don’t think we have enough time for me to go into specifics, but let’s just say starting in the Caribbean, which isn’t well-known for its motorsport history, made things a bit more complicated. But with the help of my dad, I gradually worked my way through the ranks, and then the big break came when a team owner in Italy saw me race in the United States and offered me a test. Fortunately, it went well, and I got my first introduction to European racing, and everything sort of fell in place from there,” he shared.
On the FIA European Karting circuit, Powell created history along the way with numerous podium finishes, vice championships, and other close finishes in the junior OK division. He quickly transitioned to the more competitive senior OK category and then the Kz2 category before his move into Formula 4.
However, the transition from karting to single-seaters was by no means seamless. In fact, Formula 4 brought new challenges—higher speeds, greater physical demands, and a level of competition unlike anything Powell had faced before.
Alex Powell in action during his karting days.
"It was a big step. Some things went better than expected, some not so much, but that’s racing. You have to be open-minded to the possibility that things won’t always go your way and just push through the difficulties. So I’m grateful to have had those challenges at this point in my single-seater career as opposed to later when I get closer to the pinnacle, which is Formula 1,” Powell shared.
Having learned to smile in the face of adversity, Powell again proved his mettle in the recently concluded Formula 4 Middle East Championship. The season began with misfortune—gearbox problems in round one, a puncture in round three—but Powell responded with grit.
Over the final eight races, he racked up five wins, a second, and a third in a remarkable comeback to etch his name in history as the first Jamaican Vice Champion in the series with 281 points, behind only teammate Emanuele Olivieri (339 points).
Alex Powell (left) with members of his F4 team.
"After round two, we had a sit-down, analyzed the data, and figured out what we needed to do differently. I made one crucial change to my driving style, and from there, everything clicked. Trusting my team and believing in our process made all the difference,” Powell explained.
"It's truly awesome to finish as strong as we did at the end. I mean, obviously, it's a testament to how hard the team worked in order to achieve that kind of success, and I would say it is also a result of learning from past experiences,” he beamed.
Racing at this level demands more than just skill. Powell pointed out that it also requires sacrifice, as he revealed that he left behind the comforts of home, childhood friendships, and the simple pleasures of being a teenager.
"I essentially gave up a lot of my childhood,” Powell chuckled as he reflected.
"From a young age, I was traveling to Europe for weeks at a time. Birthday parties, seeing friends—those things became rare. But I always kept my eyes on the bigger picture. I am reaping the rewards of my sacrifice, and I am much closer to the end goal, so I'm okay with that,” he noted.
And much like any athlete chasing greatness, Powell also had his battles with doubt.
"There’s always a level of self-doubt, even when things aren’t going well. But giving up was never an option. I know how hard I’ve worked, how much my family sacrificed, and that kept me going,” the soft-spoken driver declared.
Now, Powell turns his focus to the Italian F4 Championship, another crucial step on the road to Formula 1. He knows the path is steep, but his recent performances have only strengthened his resolve.
Alex Powell in F4 action.
"The goal is to be as consistent and strong as possible every weekend. I’d love to win the championship, but more importantly, I want to look back knowing I gave it my all. I’m in one of the best positions of my career right now, but I know the work can’t stop. It’s hard to get to the top, but it’s even harder to stay there,” Powell said shortly after he tackled his first endurance race—a six-hour challenge in Valencia, Spain.
As the engines quiet after another hard-fought race weekend, Powell remains focused. He knows the road to Formula 1 is long and uncertain, but if his journey from a Trinidadian parking lot to the podiums of Europe is any indication, he is more than ready for the ride.
But beyond his personal ambitions, Powell also hopes his success can open doors for other Caribbean racers, following in the footsteps of Barbadian Zane Maloney in Formula E and Caymanian Kyffin Simpson in IndyCar.
"The dream is Formula 1. It’s a long way to get there, but I’ll keep pushing. The Jamaican flag will fly high as I hope I can set an example for the next generation. The Caribbean has so much talent, and I’d love to see more drivers coming up through the ranks,” Powell affirmed.
Alex and father John Powell after a karting event.
Meanwhile, John Powell, who has had a front-row seat to Alex’s remarkable journey, shared immense pride in his son’s achievements, as he recalled those early days and the rapid progression that followed.
"Watching Alex’s journey has been nothing short of incredible. I still remember him starting out in a parking lot at the Arima Race Track in Trinidad. Seeing how far he’s come after his leap to Europe, where he’s been for the past seven years, fills us with immense pride. What makes it even more special is that Alex has never forgotten his roots; he remains humble and grateful to the people who supported him in those early days,” the beaming father stated.
Of course, every parent hopes for their child’s success, but John admitted that Alex’s rise through the ranks has surpassed even his expectations.
"You always dream big for your child, but motorsport is fiercely competitive, so we kept our expectations realistic. What Alex has achieved so far has exceeded anything we could have imagined. He’s had his fair share of ups and downs, but his resilience and drive have helped him perform exceptionally well, both in karting and now in Formula 4. It’s been remarkable to witness,” the senior Powell shared.
Alex with father John Powell at the Mercedes F1 headquarters in United Kingdom.
He noted that Alex has always shown remarkable composure even when the results don’t go his way. As such, optimism abounds that Alex will continue pushing forward in his racing career.
"Alex has always been remarkably grounded for his age. He handles setbacks better than I do, to be honest,” John said with a laugh.
"Whether he wins or faces challenges, he stays focused on learning and improving. As parents, our job is to support him through every moment… celebrating the highs and helping him navigate the lows while ensuring he keeps his feet firmly on the ground.
“We’re hopeful that Alex continues to build on his success this year in the Italian Championship in May and the European Championship in July. He’s focused, motivated, and ready for what lies ahead, and we’ll be cheering him on every step of the way,” John ended.