A BUDDING young racing star has been selected by a Formula One driver to join his heroes on the grid at the Grand Prix in Silverstone.

Army Cadet Daniel Amor, 10 was thrilled to be picked for the F1 Future Star scheme, which will see him join Williams Formula One driver George Russell.

Daniel, who goes to The Mead Primary School in Trowbridge, was chosen from 50 entries to Motorsport UK’s nationwide competition to find seven F1 Future Stars.

Aged between seven and 10 years old, the young karters were asked to submit a 30-second video explaining why they want to be an F1 Future Star, who their F1 hero is and why, and what it would mean to represent karting at the British Grand Prix.

Daniel said: “I got home from school and my mum and dad told me I had been picked and I just couldn’t believe it, I ran around the house screaming.

“My F1 hero is Nigel Mansell as he didn’t have anything and worked his way up.

“It’s not long until the Grand Prix now and I am just so excited.”

Daniel’s mum, Jess Amor said: “We are so incredibly proud of Daniel.

“We applied for this but you don’t ever expect to actually win a place, but we are so thrilled that Daniel was accepted. He loves his motorsport and does a lot of karting with his dad. This is a dream come true for him.

“We would like to thank everyone at F1 Future Stars for giving him this opportunity. We are always looking for sponsors!”

In addition to meeting their F1 heroes, Motorsport UK’s 10 F1 Future Stars will represent and promote UK karting to millions watching the British Grand Prix around the world.

Dan Parker, Motorsport UK Kart Manager, added: “I’d like to congratulate Daniel and all our winners and thank our panel for judging such a close competition.

“Daniel really showed his passion towards karting and F1, and we are delighted to have him representing Motorsport UK at the British Grand Prix.

“All four current British F1 drivers won UK karting championships on their way to the top, highlighting its importance at a grassroots level. UK karting is going from strength-to-strength and the Motorsport UK-run British Kart Championships are seeing the biggest grids we’ve had in 30 years.”

Daniel and the other winners were chosen by judges F1 star George, Autosport F1 reporter Scott Mitchell and Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham.