Schoolboy makes F3 racing history

Max cites F1 Grand Prix legend Ayrton Senna as one of his heroes

A Sussex schoolboy has become the youngest driver in Formula Three history after making his debut in the competition a day after turning 16.

Max Chilton took to the Donington Park race track, near Derby, on Sunday, even though it is another year before he can legally drive a car on a public road.

He honed his skills in karting and T Car junior racing competitions, and hopes to become a Formula One driver.

"I've set the world record, and it will probably never be beaten," he said.

The Ardingly College student took the youngest Formula Three driver record from Formula One test driver Nelson Piquet Junior at the British F3 International Championship.

Competitive event

"I've probably been testing this [racing car] for about a year now," he said.

"I've done 6,000 miles, and probably done 35 to 40 days in this - it takes a lot of time and I've had to miss quite a lot of school."

His parents, Grahame and Nadine Chilton, were at Donington to cheer him on and watch him finish 17th.

"It would've been nice if he'd been 16th for his 16th birthday, but to come half way up the field - it's probably the most competitive ever year for British F3, and it's a very big grid. You've got to be really proud of him," his father said.

Max had to wait until his 16th birthday to make his F3 debut as before then he was not able to be issued with an international race licence.