Renault bow for Walker

Alex Walker

MOTOR SPORT: 

OLDHAM’S Alex Walker has been handed the opportunity to follow in the footsteps — or tyre tracks — of McLaren Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton.

The 16-year-old Fortec Motorsport racer continues his meteoric rise on Sunday when he makes his Formula Renault UK Championship debut at Rockingham.

Hamilton cut his teeth at this level for Fortec, winning the title in 2003 — just five years before achieving F1 world domination.

Walker lies second in the Intersteps Championship table with one round of races remaining, and his eye-catching performances have earned him a crack at climbing the ladder.

In its annual regular series, 20 races are held over 10 meetings, with cars using 2,000cc 16 V engines.

Sunday’s race comes a week before the Intersteps climax.