Apprenticeship or sixth form?

[Cliff1975]

I think I know the answer but would be grateful for your wise opinions.
DS2 is academically able but very practical and his dream is to one day own a classic car business or work for a race team. He had planned to go to sixth form to do music, physics and history and had applied to the sixth form at his school as well as another local school. He had also applied to te local college to do level 3 engineering as a back up. He got his GCSE results which were good enough for sixth form but as he got a 5 in Maths he cant do A level Physics (despite getting a 7 in physics). So he went to see the college and was blown away by their motor vehicle facilities and would now like to do that or an apprebticeship. I just want him to be happy. He is capapble of A Levels but he may be bored and disengaged. The problem is that to do Motor Vehicle you have to start at level 1 which he and I are worried is a backwards step, (he has 9 gcses 8-4) but if this is what he wants to do i support him. So what should he do?

I wouldn't worry about level1 being a backwards step if that is where is heart is.
Is it one level a year, so after 3 years he gets his Level 3?

Update.
After visiting sixth form and the college he has decided to do A levels at sixth form. I am pleased and relieved - mainly because he is buzzing about it. The college and sixth form staff were really helpful.

He has changed his subject choices to music, history, business and core maths which I am also relievd about.

@TeenMinusTests

I wouldn't worry about level1 being a backwards step if that is where is heart is. Is it one level a year, so after 3 years he gets his Level 3?

I think bits two years to do a Level 3, which is why some only get through half af a level 3 before they're not funded anymore.

I think A Levels sound like a good choice OP. If he can get work experience or a part time job involved with cars that would be the perfect solution.

Although I’m trying hard to increase the number of students taking physics I think the revised choice of subjects is wise. Those doing physics A level without maths struggle with the assessments. I’ve put a higher entry requirement on maths for those not taking the A level

I could have written your post myself ! My son is similar, academically capable but very practical. His dream is to have his own bike shop - he loves riding. He has decided to do A levels which I think is the right choice, it keeps his options open. He has also decided to do Business as he thinks it will be be useful for when he sets up his own business which is his dream and at least it will give him some motivation. He’s doing Geography and PE too, he also got 7s in Physics and Biology but his maths (6) is not strong enough for A level which limited Physics options, even though it was his favourite subject.