With nerves of steel and a thirst for racing, driver Charles Hollings is hoping to accelerate into the Formula One hot seat.

The talented teenager, who lives at Norwood, near Otley, dreams of lining up on the starting grid for the Grand Prix.

He is already zooming his way up the ladder by competing with Mackie Motorsport in the Formula Ford category, a proven training ground for motor-racing stars of the future. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Michael Schumacher.

Charles, 19, a former Prince Henry's Grammar School pupil, joined the championship last year and is gearing up for another season which will take in circuits in Barcelona, Magnicours in France and Spa in Belgium.

"I enjoy going fast and the Formula Ford cars do about 145 miles an hour. I get a real buzz out of it," he told the Telegraph & Argus.

"I like Schumacher but I'm also pleased about how well Jenson Button is doing. I raced against him a couple of years ago in the junior karting."

His love of motors began when he got a fun cart to trundle around the family farm when he was seven.

"As soon as my eighth birthday came up I began racing - it's the youngest age you can start," he said.

In 1995 and 1996 Charles competed for his country, karting at the European and World Championships and made his car racing debut in 1999 when he finished on the podium in his second race and won his third-ever race. He was also runner up in the Formula Eurofirst Winterseries.

His parents Jeff and Celia, who own Hollings and Co pet food manufacturers in Skipton, have so far borne the brunt of the expensive hobby, with cars costing an estimated £28,000.

A family friend has also helped out, however. Charles, pictured, is now seeking serious sponsorship to pursue his ambitions.

"To get to Formula One is something I want to do but I am looking for sponsorship of around £100,000 to £150,000 a year."

On the track he is responsible for 1800 Zetec of engine power. However on trips round Yorkshire, Charles admits he is careful in his 1.2-litre Vauxhall Corsa.

"Boy racer? I'm quite the opposite actually. I don't like it because you see young lads driving around fast and in the end something awful could happen.

"I'd rather save myself and go fast on a race circuit where I risk my own life and not other people's on the roads."

Anyone who wants more information about sponsoring Charles can contact him on (01943) 466195 or log on to his website at www.charleshollings.com