Oram-Jones returns to the racing track

The 18-year-old has spent the last two years concentrating on his studies, having raised eyebrows throughout his early karting career.

Having taken part in some successful tests, Oram-Jones was signed to Dan Woodrow’s 23 Racing, and will make his debut at Snetterton this weekend.

“It is great and really exciting to be back racing,” said the Milton Keynes youngster.

“I think the time I have had off has allowed me to mature as a driver and as an individual, but it is brilliant to be able to finally get back out onto the track and put that maturity into performance.

“The test last week was very good. We were very quick and got into the car and were doing times that would have put us at the front of last year’s grid.

“My manager was scratching his head a bit and thinking we must be doing something weird because we shouldn’t be going that quick off the bat, but we were just very fast and I am very much looking forward to the start of the new season now.

“It will be my first time competing in a front-wheel drive car and it is very different to anything I have driven before, but luckily for me, I think a racing driver is a racing driver and a good racing driver can drive whatever he is put in.

“It did take some time to adapt initially - especially given you are going to have a lot more understeer and a lot less oversteer, that is what you would have been used to, for example, in a single-seater and in a kart, but it is nothing I can’t handle.

“We will be looking to come back out and show I can be here for the long run and that I am in motorsport to stay and deserve to be on the grid.

“The aim for the season in terms of performance is definitely to finish towards the front of the grid and in the top 10. I think it’s a must-do.”