Pearson made the swap from karts to automobiles partway via 2018 when he joined the Ginetta ranks, earlier than contesting two full campaigns – taking two podiums en path to eighth within the 2020 standings.
He was then because of graduate to single-seaters in British F4 the next 12 months with Argenti Motorsport, however needed to put these plans on maintain after he was identified with a uncommon type of bone most cancers in his pelvic space.
But the Yorkshire teenager was decided to not let his sickness put a cease to his racing goals and he continued to drive on simulators throughout his therapy.
He defied the percentages to return to the F4 cockpit in January 2022, telling Motorsport.com on the time: “As quickly as I received on monitor and warmed up, every little thing clicked and it gave me a large buzz.
“The motorsport neighborhood has helped me out a lot. The assist and sort messages from different drivers, drivers’ households, groups and followers has been overwhelming. It helps me get via it.”
He went on to drive with Chris Dittmann Racing that season as he made a courageous return to competitors.
Pearson scored a greatest results of sixth within the opening half of the 12 months, however his marketing campaign was curtailed after he broke his thumb in a crash at Croft and his most cancers was subsequently discovered to have reappeared.
Pearson bravely returned to racing in 2022 in British F4
Photograph by: JEP/Motorsport Pictures
As he continued to battle the consequences of the illness, he received behind the wheel of Staff Brit’s specifically tailored hand-controlled McLaren 570S GT4 final October, together with different sportscars, however sadly Pearson was unable to race once more.
“Joel lived and breathed motorsport – racing automobiles was all he cared about,” stated his supervisor ex-British Touring Automotive driver Phil Glew, who first began working with Pearson when he joined R Racing forward of the 2020 Ginetta Junior marketing campaign.
“It’s simply so onerous to take. I loved each second we spent teaching, managing and taking care of his profession – immediately we developed a bond with me and Joel and his household.”
Glew was amazed by the resilience Pearson confirmed and the way he by no means let his sickness get the higher of him.
“He was a warrior – he had an image of a bull on his helmet, which was associated to the actual fact he’s a fighter,” stated Glew. “He was at all times combating.
“Our hearts exit to his household and I’m hoping the racing neighborhood comes collectively to recollect him.”
Motorsport.com sends honest condolences to Pearson’s household and buddies at this devastating time.
