Bristol motorsport starlet Hale set to follow in the footsteps of champions

Bristol's junior motorsport star Mitchell Hale has been signed to race in Formula Renault in 2010 – the series that launched the career of Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Clifton-based Mitchell, 15, has joined leading team CRS Racing and will begin his single-seater career in the BARC Formula Renault series.

It follows a rookie season racing in Ginetta Juniors, in which he finished an impressive sixth overall in the final standings.

Championship-winning squad CRS has kept a close eye on Mitchell's performance in international karting and his debut in car racing this year.

"I first tested for CRS in Barcelona when I was 14-years-old and I know they've been watching me develop as a driver ever since then," said Mitchell.

"This will be a fantastic opportunity to begin my Formula Renault career with the leading outfit on the grid.

"There is no better team to be with than CRS," added Mitchell. "I'm happy to be developing my single-seater craft in BARC. I then plan to step up to the main UK series – hopefully as champion – when I am 17."

CRS Racing's Team Director Andrew Kirkaldy said: "Mitchell is one of the youngest drivers we have ever run. Given his limited experience, he was impressive in Barcelona so we are delighted to be in a position to train him to follow in the footsteps of our former champions."

After two years spent karting in Europe, Mitchell progressed to the Ginetta Junior series this year, gaining two podiums.

"I'm glad to say it is job done; I've learnt the country's best circuits and developed my race craft," added Mitchell. "I've had some technical dramas along the way, but it's all part of racing and understanding how to drive around problems."

Mitchell will now undergo a winter testing programme with CRS Racing.