Karting graduate Chris Lulham will join Fortec Motorsports for the penultimate round of the British Formula 4 season at Silverstone.

The 16-year-old has spent this predominantly honing his skills in simulator racing, having taken a year out of on-track action to focus on his compulsory school studies in the UK.

Lulham, who finished second in the 2017 CIK-FIA World Karting championship in the OK Junior class karts, joins Roberto Faria and Mariano Martiez at the team for Silverstone.

?I?m delighted to be making my British F3 debut at Silverstone this weekend,? Lulham said.

?After taking a year out to focus on my GCSE exams, this is an important next step on the ladder. I?ve been keeping sharp with sim racing in the meantime, but it?ll be good to be back out in a proper race car, at one of the most iconic circuits in the country.

?I?m not setting any expectations for myself, as we?re jumping in at the deep end a little but, but if I can finish all three races and extract the maximum from each session I?ll be happy.

?This is a step up from karting, quite different in terms of driving style and race craft and a bit of a reset in terms of experience, but I?m sure I?ll adapt well and make progress across the weekend.?

Lulham began testing with the team last year, impressing team manager Ollie Dutton. Fortec?hopes he will be able to continue his success as he moves from karts to cars.

?All of us at Fortec Motorsports are delighted to have Chris join us for the penultimate F4 British Championship round at Silverstone this weekend,? said Dutton.

?After testing with him last year, I was impressed with his initial pace and how quickly he adapted to the car.

?Chris has had a fantastic karting career and hopefully this will translate whilst we work together to get some solid results this weekend.

?He hasn?t been able to get out in the car as much as we would like but I?m confident, with the extra day of testing on Thursday, we can get him straight on the pace. We look forward to an exciting weekend ahead.?

Lulham is currently only set to compete at the Silverstone round of the championship, with Fortec returning to its usual two-car line-up for the season finale at Brands Hatch Grand Prix.