Top 5 karting prodigies

The famous Ayrton Senna karting in Brazil (www.google.com)

5. Dan Wheldon - The late Dan Wheldon passed in October 2011 after a huge collision in the IndyCar World Championship in Las Vegas at the young age of 33. Wheldon was highly recongnised for his driving skills from an early age after taking up karting at the age of four. During his early career, he raced against Jenson Button before leaving the UK to race in America. In 2002, Wheldon took up IndyCar. He won the championship in 2005 along with 16 wins and Rookie of the year award in 2003.

4. Michael Schumacher - The seven times F1 world champion began karting in his native Germany. He moved up fast, through different formula's before grabbing a seat in F1 in 1991. The international sports star has 91 race wins and is currently still racing for Mercedes F1 after huge successes with the Ferrari F1 team.

3. Sebastian Vettel - The current F1 world champion's story started in 1995. He started his career in karting winning various titles all over Europe. He went on to win the Junior Monaco Kart Cup in 2001, putting his name on the map. He quickly progressed, like that of Schumacher. He's first drive in F1 came in 2006 with BMW. In 2010 and 2011, he won the championship with Red Bull racing team - it is anticipated he could win many, many more.

2. Lewis Hamilton MBE - Mr Karting. Coming from nothing, no money, bare minimum resources. Raw talent and a driving, passionate father. He began karting in 1993 aged eight. He began winning his races as a Cadet driver. It was at the age of ten that he was approached by McLaren F1 team boss Ron Dennis for an autograph. He told Dennis, "Hi. I'm Lewis Hamilton. I won the British Championship and one day I want to be racing your cars." Dennis replied, "Phone me in nine years, we'll sort something out then." The story progressed as he progressed through the ranks winning championships before landing that all important drive with Mr Dennis. He is now an F1 world champion.

1. Ayrton Senna - Arguably the greatest driver of all time. He began his magnificent story in karting. Senna's first kart was a small 1 HP go-kart, built by his father Milton, in Brazil. Senna won various championships in his homeland before progressing to Europe to continue  his career.