Josh Webster

JOSH Webster’s standing as one of the Great Britain’s finest young driving talents has been confirmed after the teenager landed a coveted place at the Motor Sport Association’s official academy.

Webster hopes to secure a seat with a team in the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship next season but needs to secure the funding before he can do so.

He was selected for the MSA’s Team UK academy on Friday, and will receive support and guidance from the Team UK coaches and carry its logo on his clothing and vehicles.

“I am absolutely delighted,” said Webster, who was named the 2011 RSF MSA Young Driver of the Year award this week.

“As soon as I got into car racing I became aware of the level of progress I would have to achieve to get to this point.

“I am in the Team UK AASE (Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence) academy at Loughborough College and that has helped me to build up to this level. It is fantastic news.”

Webster, who is also studying for his ‘A’ levels at Suffolk One College, began in karting before finishing fourth in the 2012 Fortec Motorsport series as well as being named top rookie in the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Championship.

He won the 2010 Formula Renault BARC Winter Championship and finished vice-champion last year, ending the season in the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Series, securing third place.

Despite his success, Webster knows will have to earn the respect of his fellow graduates, who are all older than him.

“I’ll have to show I deserve to be one of the big boys as I will be the youngest member of Team UK,” he said.

“Hopefully my place at the academy will help me to move onto the Formula 3 stage.

“I’ll benefit a lot from the academy both physically and mentally and from the guidance I will receive with such things as nutrition and development.”

The 2012 CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK championship begins at Brands Hatch on Saturday 31st March and Webster hopes to be part of it.

For more information visit www.joshwebster.co.uk