Former Ferrari and Williams technical chief Rob Smedꦇley has launched a range of electric karts aimed to “answer Lewis Hamilton’s call” for cheaper motorsport opportunities at karting level.

Hamiltoওn has urged action must be taken by the FIA and Formula 1 to produce grassroots setups and greater opportunities for underprivileged youngsters as he fears motorsport i🐲s𓄧 only accessible to “rich and wealthy families”.

With the backing of F1 technical advisor Smedley, Electroheads Motorsport has unveiled its new e-kart and a new race series which will take placeꦗ in both the Bambino and Cadet karting categories across the🍌 United Kingdom from 2020.

The e-karts are designed to provide a better per𝐆formance parity between rival m🌺achines similar to petrol equivalents but with “significantly lower running costs”.

“For the next generation of 𒁏racers, the era of the petrolhead is coming to a close. The whole philosophy of the Electroheads group is to get digita𝓡l natives to experience the unique awe of the electric revolution,” Smedley said.

“As Lewis Hamilton himself said recently: racing has become too expensive and is not diverse enough. I totally agree. Through electrification we can change that. We will be💧 the driving force to inspire, energise and thrill racers as they climb the ladder. It is cleaner, chea🌞per, faster and importantly, fairer.

“At Electroheads we know that electrification can be the vehicle for democratisi🌃ng motorsport and it starts at the grassroots and it stℱarts today.”

The e-karts aim to ensure every competitor𒊎 has equal power available and each team will be transparent on data to provide a level playing field.

“Electrification allow🐷s for complete parity, where the principal performance differentiator is driver talent,” Smedley added. “That’s why we’re here.”