Highlander Lewis targets World Seriesposted in MSPOR03 | 05 | 2012
HIGHLANDER LEWIS WILLIAMSON takes another step towards his ultimate goal of a seat in Formula One when he starts the World Series Formula 3.5 by Renault Championship this weekend.
The 22-year-old from Golspie, a member of the Red Bull Young Driver Development Programme, will drive for the Arden Caterham team in the opening double-header in Spain.
And the talented young Scot, who spends F1 weekends working on the Red Bull simulator with the team to fine-tune the race car of world champ Sebastien Vettel, is looking forward to the new challenge.
"This is as big a challenge as I've ever set myself," Williamson, whose meteoric rise through the junior formulae saw him win at Silverstone in the GP3 Championship last year, said.
"It's definitely another big learning curve for me, but those are the challenges I keep giving myself, and it all helps to develop me as a driver."
Scotland hosts young FIA stars
Williamson, who continues to be backed by a small consortium of private individuals under the Highland Arena banner, is a past McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year.
Last year he tested a McLaren F1 car at Silverstone, and the Scot is one of only 18 young drivers chosen for the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.
The World Series F3.5 is a major stepping stone for aspiring F1 racers. It's the path followed by grand prix winner Robert Kubica, and double F1 world champ Vettel.
"Robert and Sebastien have certainly shown in the past how important it is to do well in the World Series," Williamson, who will be partnered by American Alexander Rossi, continued.
Red Bull role for Highlander Lewis Williamson
"Arden Caterham is a new team so we're running fast to catch up with the established team, but we've shown through pre-season testing that we have the pace.
"Sure we've had a few glitches, but that's exactly what testing is all about: identifying the problems, and solving them.
"We've done that, and we head to the opening round at Aragon in Spain quietly confident."
Pushed on what his targets are for the season, the reserved Scot remains, understandably coy.
"Of course I've set myself objectives, but they are private targets," he admitted. "I know what I'm capable of, and we're all working as part of the team to deliver the best we can.
"Hope fully we can get the season off to a great start this weekend in Spain."
Highlander Lewis Williamson gets FIA slot
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Jim McGill