ODIHAM racing driver Louis Foster is aiming to impress the Formula 1 paddock when he races in front of the biggest names in motorsport for the first time next month.

Foster, 17, has won at every level from his early karting days to two seasons in single-seater racing which forms part of the ladder to Formula 1, making a bigger step up each season in the process.

Having made a winning debut in the Euroformula Open championship last year, Foster will race for the CryptoTower Racing Team engineered by some of the best minds in junior formula racing when he competes two tiers below Formula 1 in the Formula 3-based series this year.

His first race will take place on May 2 at the Portimao circuit in Portugal.

“I’m really looking forward to the opening round, I’m raring to go!” said Foster.

“With the opening round at Portimao in front of all the Formula 1 bosses, it would be nice to impress on what is a grand stage in motorsport. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I’ve been working hard in the off-season to be prepared physically and mentally.”

As well as racing in front of F1's best at the first round, Lord Wandsworth College student Foster will compete outside of the UK regularly for the first time in his short car racing career.

After 20 wins in the UK, Foster is ready for a bigger challenge and the goal is to win the championship and take regular race wins.

“We’ve got our heads down focusing on the rest of the year as well as that important first round,” added Foster.

“It’s a new challenge; it’s European tracks most of which I’ve never raced at before, a new team, it’s a very new environment for me. I’m looking forward to adapting to it and making the most of it.

“Above all else I’m really grateful of the chance to go out and compete and I have to say a big thanks to my sponsors Copart, Chambers, Poggesi, Prosperity and Novara for helping me make this dream happen.”