Wishes that Inspire: Ford’s Formula One Wish

Ford’s Formula One wish brought him positive memories to hold onto during difficult moments, and inspiration for his future career. 

Strength and Resolve 

Meet Ford, future Formula One Race Engineer! 17-year-old Ford was born with congenital heart disease, but he hasn’t let that keep him from chasing his dreams. He says “sports are a big part of my life: racing, football, soccer, baseball, basically anything.” While Ford’s condition results in low oxygen levels that make it hard for Ford to compete in most sports, he was determined to not let that stop him from doing what he loves. Ford is a kicker for his high school football team, proof of his strength and resolve. “It’s been pretty awesome being able to do that,” he says.  

A No-Brainer Wish 

The other big sport in Ford’s life is Formula One racing. “I’ve always liked racing, being in Charlotte,” he says. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Ford started playing F1 video games and watching video streams. Ford waited until he was older to choose his wish, and by that time, there was no doubt about his wish: “it was pretty easy to choose Formula One.”  

Ford’s mom Adrienne says, “I’m so glad Ford waited to take advantage of his wish, because it was the coolest thing we’ve gotten to do as a family.” 

Immersed in the F1 World 

The trip itinerary was simple: Fly to Austin for the United States Grand Prix on Wednesday. Tour the paddock on Thursday. And then, three days’ worth of races at the Circuit of the Americas.  

The first part of the trip, the paddock tour, was a highlight for Ford. “It’s where all the team hospitalities are, and where the drivers walk up and down between the garages and the hospitalities… it was just incredible,” Ford says.  

Because the paddock is an active workspace, he was expecting a quick, in-and-out tour, but Ford was elated when drivers stopped to talk to him, including his favorite driver, Lando Norris. Ford reflects, “It was really cool. This guy drives around the world in a really, really, really fast car and you can see him on the track. But now it’s like, wow, I met him!”  

Memorable Moments 

One moment that anyone attending a Formula One race is sure to remember is the first lap of the race. Ford describes that first lap as spellbinding: “The start was about half a mile away from us, but you could hear it. It was kind of quiet, and then you could hear the cars just screaming towards you. That was probably my favorite part.” It was a moment that simply doesn’t compare to watching it on TV.  

Inspiration for the Present 

Ford’s wish brought him memories to last a lifetime — and inspiration for the present. Ford dreams of working in Formula One as a race engineer. He says, “it was really cool to see like, yeah, that’s where I’m going to work.” Adrienne reflects that it was also meaningful to see drivers not much older than Ford himself. “The drivers are really young, and so it’s neat to see somebody who’s close to his age achieve greatness in a world-acclaimed sport. As a mother, it was like, this could be my kid!” 

Ford jokes that “I’m over here doing chemistry homework, and this 19-year-old driver is racing hard.” But Ford is achieving greatness too. As he comes to the close of his high school career, he’s looking at college engineering programs where he’ll learn what it takes to be a race engineer.  

Ford’s heart condition will always be part of his life. He says, “it’s always going to be hard, but my wish helped me appreciate that I’m not the only one dealing with this… I know there’s people around me that know I’ve gone through hard stuff and want to support me in that.” Ford’s wish helped him feel seen, valued, and gave him inspiration to last a lifetime.