FULL THROTTLE

Mauricio Robbins Leads Racing’s Next Generation

It just takes one moment for everything to change. For Mauricio Robbins, it arrived at the Formula 1 Grand Prix Miami in 2024. The roar of the engines, the velocity, the electric tension rippling through the grandstands ignited something in him that never hit the brakes.

“I’ve always enjoyed everything about cars, from specs to engines—it’s always intrigued me,” he says. “But my life changed when I had the opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes with F1 drivers.”

Being up close to the driver’s seat transformed curiosity into commitment.

But the track to that moment has been paved long before. On paper, Barrington is not the obvious starting line for a career in international motorsport. Its rhythms are defined more by school calendars and Friday night lights than apexes and braking zones. Yet it is precisely here—inside the classrooms, on running tracks, and along familiar suburban roads—that Robbins’ story begins.

“I grew up in Barrington, attended Countryside Elementary, Station Middle School, and graduated from Barrington High School,” he says. “Throughout my school years, I was taught humility, discipline, and the understanding of community.”

Those values now sit at the core of a life moving at racing speed. While the glamour of Formula racing suggests a world of intentional circuits and polished paddocks, Robbins’ path is rooted in a distinctly Midwestern upbringing—one shaped by structure, education, and community support.

At 18, with a birthday in July, Robbins is entering his debut season in Formula 4 racing under the Kiwi Motorsport banner. It’s a team that has claimed seven championship titles and does not, by reputation, sign drivers on potential alone. For those unfamiliar with this category, Formula 4 represents a pivotal proving ground—a demanding first step into professional single-seater racing. The fact that they signed Robbins says something: he’s the real thing.

Not like many young drivers who spend childhoods climbing into a karting ladder, Robbins chose a different route. One that was fueled by deliberate development and accelerated learning.

“Many of my peers rely on their karting backgrounds, but I decided to build my foundation by grinding through driver development programs like Radford Racing, Allen Berg Racing, and Lucas Oil Racing,” he explains. “The path has been insightful, challenging, and also very exciting.”

Today, Robbins races on the West Coast on famous tracks like Laguna Seca and Sonoma Raceway, with the goal to gain experience, stay consistent, and position himself for progression up the professional racing track.

“This allows me to showcase my talent and use this as a stepping stone to the next level,” he says.

All of Robbins’ preparation, from his athletic discipline to his focused training in the driver development program, set the stage for the moment he decided to turn passion into a career. When he broke the news to his family and friends about pursuing racing, they were all in and buckled up offering unwavering support.

“My mom and dad, extended family, trainer, Andrew Snyder, and my racing coaches, Jeff and Spencer Bucknum and Kiwi Motorsport principal Gary Orton, along with all of my friends, have pushed me to shoot for the stars,” he says.

That encouragement built on the foundation of his athletic background, which continues to shape how he approaches racing. Long before learning braking points and racing lines, he was learning sprint starts and long jump techniques as a member of the high school track and field team.

“My track and field coaching staff taught me how to stay prepared and focused along with having a competitive mindset,” he recalls. “They also taught me about staying disciplined.”

The support extends beyond family and mentors. The locals of Barrington also champion him. “The community of Barrington has been very supportive,” he says. “I’ve met others that have raced before me who have given me great advice. Growing up here has given me access to life-changing opportunities.”

His rookie Formula 4 season is already providing the first meaningful benchmarks. He currently sits eighth in the Drivers’ Championship with seven points marking the beginning of a season. Early results place Robbins in the championship standings and within striking distance of experienced teammates. The goal now is steady progression, measured in tenths of seconds and incremental gains.

“My passion for racing stems from the speed, the precision it demands, and the community around it,” he says. “What really excites me? It’s when I’m out on a pace lap just before the green flag—the anticipation of the race to start, the unworldly rush of adrenaline, and the thrill of improving lap times as a race weekend progresses.”

Beyond the next braking zone, lies the finish line Robbins first glimpsed in Miami. It was the moment when a suburban student let himself imagine a global track and pressed the accelerator.