A County Durham boy who could become the next Lewis Hamilton has been hounded by bullies once again - with one person telling him to take his own life.

Speedy young kart racer, Thomas Potter, has been racing since he was just six and has impressed fans across the world for his talent.

His family have previously said the ten-year-old could even be the next Formula 1 star and has seen his videos go viral on social media.

But he said the Bowburn Junior School pupil, who reaches speeds of 60 mph on the track, routinely faces taunts and abusive chants when he ever he races from fellow competitors and their families.

His parents have revealed he has also had sickening posts to his online social media accounts.

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The Northern Echo: David PotterDavid Potter (Image: David Potter)

On one occasion last weekend, Thomas had to pull off the track in North Wales to wipe the tears from his eyes after hearing chants of ‘Smash Potter off the track’ and ‘he is a cheat’.

In the post, his parents said: “Having to wipe tears away before fastening a helmet is not the way to ever start a race.

“Things have been slowly developing for a while now. Enough is enough.

“This needs to stop. He actually cried himself to sleep.

“Thomas could have a bright future. We just don't want him to be bullied into quitting at an early age. Hopefully plenty of people see this and think twice on what they say going forward.”

The post has been shared around the world almost 3,000 times and gained 7,500 likes on Facebook.

Now the world of racing has come to show their support for the youngster.

Australian racing driver Chaz Mostert posted a message, saying: “Bullies are never an easy thing to deal with, and unfortunately in your case, it’s not a reflection of the person you are, but mainly jealousy towards your achievements and the kids around your age doing this are misled by their parents.

“My advice if you read this or not is you need to rise above this tough time in your life to take all the negative hate and turn it into drive.

“Drive towards your goals, drive towards you being the happiest young bloke you can be, love your family and show them who’s boss and block those haters out, because there’s nothing more painful to a hater than them knowing they can’t affect you.”

Supercars driver Will Davison also voiced his support for Thomas, sharing Mostert’s comment on Instagram with the message “Well done @chazmozzie. All behind you Thomas, screw the bullies and rise above the jealous negativity.”

Thomas, who won the Teesside Sprint Championships at seven, followed by a further three championships as a Honda Cadet, features in a new documentary Drive to Survive.

He is racing later this month in the final round of the prestigious Ultimate Karting Championship at Warden Law in Sunderland.

His parents have been inundated with messages of support with some from parents who have lost children to suicide.

Thomas has said he will honour their memories by putting their names on the kart he is racing on Wearside.

Thomas has also been given support with an offer to tour the F1 Aston Martin workshop, messages from almost all of the British touring car drivers and invitations to Silverstone and Brands Hatch where a safety car driver is going to take him out.

His dad David Potter, who is a driving instructor, said his son is now the poster boy for Race With Respect for 2023 and is going to be on flyers and billboards.

He said: “They are really pushing it so there is no more bullying in motorsport and Thomas is the face for it.  

“The support he is getting is unbelievable. The phone has been going non-stop. I have never experienced anything like this in my entire life

“It is a horrific thing that we have been through, but the response has been amazing.

"It is overwhelming.”  

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