February 6, 2012 (MMD Newswire) -- Indian teenager Shahaan Engineer is delighted to officially confirm his participation in the 2012 Certina Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship after agreeing a deal with multiple title winning team Fortec Motorsports.
Having debuted with Fortec last November in the six round Protyre Formula Renault 2.0 UK 'Finals Series', the 16-year-old will be one of the youngest and least experienced drivers in the ultra-competitive championship which begins on 31st March/1st April at Brands Hatch in Kent.
Utterly dominant last year, winning the driver and team Formula Renault UK titles, the Richard Dutton-led squad will provide Shahaan with the best education possible in a championship which has produced the likes of FIA Formula One World Champions Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton.
"I'm excited to be racing with Fortec this year in Formula Renault UK", said Shahaan, "It's the best team in the championship and I'm looking forward for pre-season testing to start. It's a tough championship, but by racing with the best drivers and being with the champion team I'll be able to learn a huge amount."
Dubai-domiciled Shahaan only started his motor racing career in 2008 when he took the UAE karting scene by storm. Debuting in Europe only two months later, he ran in the top order immediately against experienced drivers two and three years his senior. In 2010, Shahaan arrived in the UK to compete in the Formula One Management-backed Formula Kart Stars series and starred on his debut - qualifying third and finishing fifth on his first weekend in unfamiliar territory, the youngster's talent was clear to see.
Last year, the decision to rapidly progress into single-seater car racing was taken. Impressing the Fortec Motorsports squad during his first test with them, Shahaan was advised to forego the entry level series and debut instead in the full national-level Formula Renault UK series.
Joining Fortec for the winter 'Finals Series', the debutant qualified an outstanding eighth out of 29 competitors during his maiden single seater session and went on to take five strong points-scoring results from the six races contested.
"Shahaan's performances in the Finals Series demonstrated that he is more than capable of having a strong season with us", said Fortec's Formula Renault UK team manager Alex Fleming, "Although still very young, he is extremely focused and I'm sure that his hard work will pay off this season."
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