A Bridgwater College student is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his role model Jenson Button and become a Formula One champion.

AN engineering student at Bridgwater College is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his role model Jenson Button and become a Formula One champion.

James Johnson, aged 17, and a former pupil of Priory Community School in Weston, is currently completing the first year of his apprenticeship with Satin Stainless Fabrications Ltd.

In his spare time, James takes part in karting races and has had a string of victories during his two and a half years of competing, including wins at Dunkeswell and Rissington race tracks.

James recently won the Welsh National Championships, which has qualified him to enter the world championships in Portugal later in the year. His successes have not gone unnoticed, shortly after becoming national champion, James was contacted by the Formula Renault team, who praised his driving style and asked to meet with him at the end of the year to discuss joining their team.

James said: “My proudest moment so far was becoming the Welsh National champion and the possibility of joining the Formula Renault team next year would be a dream come true.”

James is currently in search of a sponsor for his next racing season and can often be seen competing on Sky’s Motorsport TV.