Samuel Oram-Jones will make his debut in the 2014 Protyre Formula Renault Championship at Donington Park next week (May 31-June 1).

The 16-year-old has concluded a deal with SWB Motorsport after impressing in a recent test at Mallory Park.

Sammy ran for a full day and since then he has been busy in the team’s simulator as he prepares to make the step up from karts and continue pursuing his goal of one day racing in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship.

“I’m extremely pleased to get this chance. SWB Motorsport is a well respected team. Simon [Baldry], Team Manager, works very well with the drivers and the mechanics all take a real pride in what they do. It is all looking very promising,” said the Milton Keynes-based teenager, who is backed by E&S Consultants Ltd and who earlier this year tested at Brands Hatch in a Formula Ford car.

“The test at Mallory was very successful and we were a lot faster than we expected considering it was very cold and considering we were using old tyres. We were very happy with how it went,” he added.

“The time we have spent in the simulator has also been very helpful. I have been trying to get quicker ahead of Donington and we definitely have got better. We have taken a lot of time off from when we first started. I am very pleased with how the simulator works and how easy it is to use it.

“I am happy with everything the team is doing to help me out.”

“I want to thank my school too,” continued The Webber Independence School* pupil, who is in the middle of taking his GCSE examinations. “They are allowing me to take days off in order to test, which is very good. The school has been great helping me out and ensuring I don’t miss out on anything. It has meant balancing the demands of my racing and my exams hasn’t posed a problem. I am very grateful.”

Looking to Donington, he added: “My first race is very important, although we have to be realistic. We’d like to aim to be mid-pack or in the pack fighting for position as opposed to being at the back and not in the mix at all. I’ll be happy to get any points of significance at all in the first few races. That would be extremely good.”

“Not doing the season opening event at Rockingham is something of a disadvantage,” he conceded. “However as all competitors have to drop one round it could be worse. It is just the way it is.

“The main thing is to make sure I put myself in a position where I can be competitive in the field as the year goes on.

“I want to show I can be quick in the car and keep progressing. As I said, I feel good about how the test went and how I have been getting on in the simulator. I feel positive going to Donington Park. Hopefully we can do well,” Sammy concluded.