A TEENAGE driver from Knutsford will race a car on the global stage this season.

Oliver Webb told the Guardian that patience had paid after he signed a deal to compete in the World Series by Renault Formula 3.5 championship.

The 19-year-old’s new employer is Spanish team Pons Racing.

“It’s what I’ve wanted since the end of last season,” he said this week.

“Everything has happened late; we just got a call, went to meet the team and I was offered an amazing deal.

“I’m very happy.”

Webb switches to a faster – and bigger car – after a single season in the British F3 championship, which saw him finish third in the drivers’ standings.

He has already completed a two-days test in an FR3.5 machine at the end of last year with the Renault arm of his former backer Fortec.

Now he is looking forward to working with motorcycling legend Sito Pons.

“I’m excited at the opportunity,” he said.

“The calendar and grid is strong and so it will be a tough year, but after a visit to the team workshop in Barcelona I have no doubts that we will be fighting as a main contender.”

Pons says he expects Webb to be battling at the front of the grid from the outset.

His team has close to a decade of experience racing at the highest level, clocking up a dozen race wins and 32 podium finishes.

He said: “Oliver is a highly promising talent who achieved excellent results last year.

“He has made the right move to the World Series by Renault and we are convinced he will waste little time in adapting to the characteristics of the new car and the championship.

“We will do everything in our capacity to give him the support he needs to fight for victory in every race.”