Cullingworth driver Jack Hawksworth has set his sights on the British title after inking a new deal with Mark Burdett Motorsport.

The highly-rated youngster enters the 2011 Formula Renault UK Championship full of confidence even though it will be his maiden full campaign in the competition.

A complete car-racing novice but with an impressive karting pedigree, Hawksworth stunned observers during the Winter Series, a toe-in-the-water exercise ahead of the serious business next year.

Up against a fiercely-competitive field of rivals the 19-year-old hot-shot secured four pole positions and two podium finishes from only six starts, and wound up an outstanding third in the final standings, raising hopes for next year.

“Over the winter, I will be concentrating on my fitness and on finding more sponsorship, and then the plan is to get as much testing in as possible to really hit the ground running when the season starts at Brands Hatch,” said the former Margutti Trophy and Kartmasters Champion.

“It will obviously be tough because this category is the breeding ground to go on to higher levels but I think I’m in the best team I can be and that we will be better-prepared than anyone else, so I’m feeling pretty confident.

“I’ve only got one goal now, and that’s to win as many races as possible – and in doing that, win the championship.”