HE has powered his way through the junior ranks of British motorsport and now Scottish student David Wagner has set his eyes on being in the driving seat in Formula 1.
The 19-year-old multiple British and Scottish karting champion is a member of Strathclyde University's elite athlete programme. His talent was confirmed after he was nominated for one of motor racing's most prestigious awards, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.
It has previously been won by David Coulthard, Dario Franchitti and former world champion Jenson Button.
Mr Wagner, of Thorntonhall, South Lanarkshire, is gearing up to drive in the Formula Renault Northern European circuit next year, the entry-level tier of professional motorsport with races on the continent and the UK, including at Silverstone.
Moving to the next stage would be a dream come true for the Scot, but first he must secure funding to help him pay for a berth with one of the top racing teams.
Mr Wagner is offering a share of future winnings to any investor willing to take him on.
Mr Wagner became interested in motorsport through his father, who drove competitive rally cars and raced against the late rally world champion Colin McRae. He said: "I first became interested in motor sports when I was three, because my dad was really into racing.
"I started karting when I was five, and ever since I was young I've wanted to race. You're always pushing it as hard as you can and it is always really exciting. You just try not to make any mistakes."
Currently studying economics and marketing at Strathclyde, Mr Wagner needs around £250,000 to race in Formula Renault. He hopes to find sponsors willing to back him in the expectation he will achieve the huge financial success that comes with being a Formula 1 driver.
In a deal similar to that employed by some footballers in the English Premiership, Mr Wagner's backers would essentially own a piece of his success, should he achieve it.
He is currently third in the Formula Renault BARC championship and has attracted sponsorship from two major companies, but says he needs more backing if he is to move up the ladder.
Mr Wagner said: "Given the right opportunity and the right funding, anybody with the right talent can make it. Unless you have rich parents to finance you, it's difficult.
"I need the right partners and the right sponsors to support me for the next four years. I want them to come on the journey with me."
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