"My Dad" - Mentor. Manager. Friend.
Behind every racing driver is a support system and for Caleb, that starts with his dad, Ian McDuff
Ian hasn’t come from a motorsport background, and there’s no polished story about climbing the racing ladder. What there is though, is years of figuring things out the hard way. Building, fixing, learning, and adapting as they’ve gone.
From early karting days to national-level racing, Ian has played a hands-on role in Caleb’s journey. That’s meant long hours in workshops, problem-solving under pressure, and finding practical solutions where off-the-shelf answers didn’t exist.
One of the biggest challenges they’ve tackled together has been communication. In a sport where clear, instant radio contact is critical, Ian and Caleb have worked side by side to develop and refine a system that works around Caleb’s needs as a deaf driver.
"The First Time"
A special moment as Caleb takes his dad for the very first time in the McLaren GT4 during pre-season testing in Portugal — raw, emotional, and unforgettable.
Rather than relying on a standard driver radio setup, which simply wouldn’t work in Caleb’s case, they had to find a solution. That meant integrating Caleb’s cochlear implant technology with the car’s onboard communication systems, ensuring signals are clear, reliable, and usable in a high-noise, high-pressure racing environment.
It’s involved bridging the gap between medical technology and motorsport hardware, adapting components, refining audio delivery and continuously testing in real-world conditions to make sure it performs when it matters.
It hasn’t been a one-off fix, but an ongoing process. Testing, adapting, and improving over time to make it truly race-ready.
Their work together has never been about recognition. It’s about doing what needs to be done to keep things moving forward. Like many in motorsport, most of the work happens behind the scenes, unseen, often unnoticed, but absolutely essential.
Together, they’ve built something that goes beyond racing results. It’s a working partnership based on trust, persistence, and a shared belief that barriers can be challenged. And while Caleb is the one on track, this is very much a team effort.
"Dad and Lad"
2025 marks 11 years of Caleb and his dad, Ian, working side by side in motorsport. From the first kart to a McLaren, this emotional tribute looks back at a journey built on love, sacrifice, and a shared dream.