BRISTOL'S Dino Zamparelli is the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault BARC champion after finishing third, in a dramatic final race at Silverstone.

Off the back of being named one of the six finalists for this year's McLaren Autosport BRDC award just over a week ago, the first time in the championship's history a driver from its ranks has been included, the 19-year-old made his eighth visit to the podium to take the title by nine points from chief rival Josh Webster (Stowmarket, Suffolk) – all in front of live ITV4 and ITV4 HD cameras.

Early in the race, with Webster second and Zamparelli down to sixth, the championship looked to be heading the way of the former and the tension was palpable after the 17-year-old set the fastest lap at mid-distance.

Zamparelli, though, stepped it up a gear during the final third of the 18-lap race and after bettering Webster's quickest lap on lap 13, the Antel Motorsport driver took third with a bold move at Becketts on the penultimate lap to seal a memorable title triumph.

"I knew I had to finish third, that's all I knew, so I just had to keep cool as in that situation it would have been very easy to lose my head", said the new champion, pictured.

"I picked them off one by one and when I crossed the line at the finish...well, I was elated. It feels absolutely fantastic.

"I had a year out of racing last year due to sponsorship issues, which was a bitter blow, but to come back this year and win the title is amazing. I've got the McLaren Autosport BRDC award coming up as well so it's all happening this year. Josh (Webster) has pushed me all the way this year, it's been a very tough season but we've done it. I have to say thanks to Antel, they've done an amazing job."

Webster, who led the championship on a couple of occasions earlier in the season, did everything he could to wrest the title from Zamparelli's grasp. Brilliantly winning round 11 on Saturday with a truly faultless drive to take the title fight down to a final race decider, second position last Sunday just wasn't quite enough for the 17-year-old for whom 2011 has still been a hugely successful year.

"After Thruxton (clutch problems) I thought it was over, but it was good to come here and take it down to the wire," said Webster,

"It just didn't come to us this time but congratulations to Dino and Antel, they've been quick all year. I'm just looking forward to next year now, hopefully we can get the budget to be racing – my sponsors this year have been absolutely fantastic."