WILLASTON cadet driver James Appleton got a few tips from his idol before the British Grand Prix.
The 11-year-old from Moorfields was personally invited by Lewis Hamilton to join in the Daytona International at Milton Keynes on the eve of the Silverstone race.
His dad Mark said: 'It really was an amazing event and an opportunity for James to meet Lewis. There were so many camera crews there, it was on the news on nearly every channel that night.
'James was also interviewed by the ITV Formula One racing team before the British Grand Prix which he was very excited about and gave him his little claim to fame.'
James, who goes to St Anne's Primary School in Nantwich, is seventh in the Stars of Tomorrow British Championships and is now racing all over the UK and Europe.
He began driving at the age of eight and has since gone on to achieve some top results. During the 2006 British Cadet Championships (ages nine-13) he won the Larkhall race in Scotland and was on the podium at Genk, Belgium and Rowrah in Cumbria with third place finishes. He was sixth overall in the championships.
Last year, he was also invited to join the world renowned Zip Fusion Young Guns team and competed in another major UK championship - the Super One Cadet Championship, in which he finished seventh overall.
James was also invited to join and drive for the victorious England Kart Team for the 2006 inter-nations Championships.
Mark added: 'James hopes to be a Formula One driver when he grows up and he is currently competing at the same level that Hamilton, Jensen Button and Anthony Davidson did.'
James said: 'I just love the speed and the competition. When I win it's the best feeling in the world!'
