A group of aspiring Formula 1 engineeners at a Weybridge college have been given a funding boost to travel the UK for a racing championship.

The team, who are studying motorsport engineering degrees at Brooklands College, will be able to compete throughout the 2017 season in the UK Formula Vee championship after a funding gap was plugged by Billy Gallon, boss of Woking's Buckingham car dealership.

Their 130mph single-seater car is based around Volkswagen parts, and is owned and driven by cyber security company chief Jake Hockley, 39.

But all the maintenance is carried out at Brooklands. And now college students, many of whom hope to work in F1 after graduating, will be able to look after the car during race meetings at classic circuits including Silverstone, Brands Hatch and Oulton Park.

The team will be known as Buckingham Brooklands College Racing.

Students Dominic Connors and Adam Burch, both 19, are among those who believe the project will be an important stepping stone to F1 or other international motorsport championships.

Mr Connors, whose ambition is to become a top racing car designer, said: “This is a great way to get there.

“This sort of racing is where companies and teams look for future employees and even by itself it will give me a really good experience of working with a team.”

Mr Burch, who hopes to become a data analyst, added: “It’s 100 per cent about experience in the motorsport world, so every race I attend will go on my CV and will definitely help me to land a job after graduating.

“To be able to say I’ve helped to run a team at a track is so much better than just saying I’ve been in a workshop.

“I’m also grateful for the support from Buckingham because without an opportunity like this, you’re stuck.”