Joseph Loake: Young racing driver hopes to emulate Button and Coulthard

Joseph Loake says Formula 1 is "the goal and the dream"

A young racing driver is hoping to emulate David Coulthard and Jensen Button after winning the prestigious young driver of the year award.

Joseph Loake, 18, from Macclesfield, has netted £200,000 and a test drive in a Formula 1 car for the accolade previously won by Coulthard and Button.

Loake is currently in Bahrain preparing to make the big step up in his opening F3 race for Rodin Motorsport.

"It could be a very big year for me," he said.

He is following in the tyre tracks of some of British racing's most famous names.

Current Formula 1 driver Lando Norris also won the award along with the multiple Grand Prix winner, Coulthard and World Champion, Button.

Last year was a stellar season for the up and coming racing star, who made the podium eight times, with four wins to his name in the GB3 Championship.

Loake met Max Verstappen when he was younger and says he has "always looked up to" him

He is tipped for the top, after a couple of years where he racked up plaudits, pole positions and podium appearances.

"We're now racing on a worldwide level. The talent in the championship is completely insane," he said.

"People who are genuinely being looked at as being in Formula 1 in a few years and I want to make sure that my name is one of them.

"It's going to be really difficult, but I have all the faith in myself that I can perform under that sort of pressure and still deliver results.

"If I can do that then we're in for a good year. "

Loake says his mum Moira is a wonderful support

His passion for speed and power behind the wheel started at a very young age.

He was obsessed with the film Cars when he was a toddler and as a young boy started racing karts.

Loake won an award in his first proper competition when he was 10 and has won trophy after trophy as he moved up the ranks.

His mum, Moira Loake said she was "extraordinarily proud" of him.

She added: "It's taken so much hard work. He loves it though.

"To see him have a good race and get out of that car and take his helmet off and just the pure joy on his face is incredible.

"I have to pinch myself that he's now going to race in places like Bahrain, Monaco and Melbourne."

Loake's mum says the "joy on his face" when he finishes a race is "incredible"

Loake says he will work hard to achieve his Formula 1 dream

All the more impressive for a family that does not have the riches of many drivers in a hugely costly sport.

Last year they had to generate £400,000 through donations, sponsorship and their own pockets.

The 18-year-old said: "It does make it nicer every time you beat them, the kids that have a lot of money, because they've had everything thrown at them and you haven't.

"I am very lucky to have the support of my family. My mum has driven me up and down the country to races and I'm very grateful."

Loake's family had to generate £400,000 last year to support his racing

Loake met current Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, his driving hero, a few years ago.

His aim is to follow the Dutchman into Formula 1 following a strict regime in the gym six days a week.

"I've always looked up to Max Verstappen. I have been watching him since I started racing," he said.

"He'd just got into F1 and that development is something that has been impressive and is something I'm trying to replicate in my own way.

"F1 is the goal and F1 is the dream and I think it's possible. As long as I work as hard as I can and I'm doing everything in my power to make sure it does happen."