F1 Dreams: Can families afford life in the fast lane?

March 6, 2026·13 min·1 clip

13-year-old Ethan Guest aims to be the next Max Verstappen, but his karting dream costs his parents nearly £40,000 a year.

The episode opens with a segment on Ethan Guest, a 13-year-old from the West Midlands aspiring to be a professional racing driver like Max Verstappen. Reporter Amelia Sammons details the financial burden on his family, costing about £40,000 this year alone. Ethan's father Steve serves as his mentor, taxi driver, and social media manager, supporting him through 78 race weekends and nearly 50 podium finishes. Ethan expresses his dream to race in Formula One or any category, emphasizing his passion for the sport. Motorsport UK acknowledges the high costs of elite sports and runs initiatives to help those in need. The episode then transitions to the Winter Paralympics in Italy, with reporter Sophie Green highlighting nearly 600 athletes competing across six sports. For the first time, English athletes are selected alongside Scottish ones in Paracurl for Team GB. Jason Keane, from Newcastle, shares how the sport changed his life after a motorcycle accident in 2021, proving he can do anything despite his paralysis. Stuart Pimlett from Northumberland, who broke his back in 1978, also discusses his selection and personal growth. The segment notes that officials from countries including the UK are boycotting the event over the inclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes, and Paralympics GB competitors are absent due to logistical reasons. Next, the episode covers a fatal fire at Grange Tower in Motherwell, Scotland, where a man died after falling from an upper floor window. Senior reporter Alice Faulkner describes the scene, with blown-out windows and smoke-stained brickwork. Eyewitness Mark recounts hearing shouting and screaming, with a neighbor attempting a failed rescue using a rope. Investigations are ongoing into the man's identity and the fire's cause. The show then shifts to Harry Styles fans in Manchester, with reporter Leo Christian interviewing attendees from Brazil, the US, and Germany who queued for hours or overnight for his concert. Some fans traveled without tickets, highlighting his global appeal. The full show will be released on Netflix on Sunday. Following this, reporter Andrew Kaye presents an exclusive on school transport costs, with ex-MPs warning councils spent £2 billion on home-to-school transport for pupils with disabilities or special educational needs last year. The government responds with SEND reforms, including a trial in Plymouth's Staked Amaral Primary, where headteacher Annie Blackie uses a £38,000 grant to create inclusion hubs. Councillor Sally Cresswell notes improvements in attendance and reductions in exclusions and elective home education. The government praised this model in its latest white paper, potentially rolling it out elsewhere. The episode also includes a report on bus safety laws in Northern Ireland, where Stella McMullen campaigns for legislation after her daughter Caitlin Rose's death a year ago. Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins plans to introduce laws and a consultation soon. Another segment discusses a report on Liverpool's Victory Parade, with author Eric Stewart raising concerns about crowd safety and scaffolding dangers. Councillor Liam Robinson seeks powers for local authorities to address these issues. Finally, showbiz reporter Olivia Marks interviews actress Jessie Buckley about her role in the film 'The Bride', where she plays multiple characters with different accents, detailing her preparation process.

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