He was almost unstoppable in karting ... now Wisbech teenage racer George Russell hopes to take the BRDC Formula 4 Championship by storm.

Cambs Times: George Russell.George Russell. (Image: Archant)

The double European karting champion’s first race in the single seater motor racing series which is designed to launch the next F1 stars is at Silverstone this weekend.

The 16 year-old, who will compete for reigning champions Lanan Racing, is hotly tipped for success after impressing in pre-season testing.

Russell said: “I’m absolutely delighted to join the BRDC F4 Championship with Lanan Racing. To be able to join the current champions is a privilege.

“Testing has been going well so far but we will not truly know what this season holds until this weekend.

“The target is race wins - I’m going for the championship.”

Russell began racing as an eight-year-old in 2006 and secured his first two championship successes in 2008.

Moving up to the MSA FKS British Championship Cadet category in 2009, he secured three titles while coming second in the Super One Cadet category.

He took four titles in 2010, with glory in the MSA British Super One, Formula Kart Stars, Kartmasters Grand Prix and Rotax Cup.

In 2011, at the age of 13, he became CIK-FIA European Champion in KF3, then in 2012 created history when he became the first driver to claim the title in consecutive years.

That year he added further titles in the KF3 Winter Cup and SKUSA Supernationals.

In 2013 he was a winner in the WSK Euro Series in Italy and he now hopes to emulate the success of Jake Hughes, who last year stepped out of karting and into cars with Lanan to become the first F4 champion.

Lanan Racing team principal Graham Johnson said. “We’ve been keeping an eye on George’s progress for some time and very pleased to welcome him to the team.

“He’s made the step up from karting very quickly and his performances in testing with us have been absolutely fantastic. He is clearly going to be a championship contender in 2014.

“We ran consistently at the front in BRDC F4 in 2013 and we were delighted to claim the championship; signing George helps with our plan to do the same in 2014. We are very excited about his potential.”