Budding racing driver Dan Fuller is playing a game of patience in a bid to reach the top of the sport.

Fuller, 18, from Hassocks, dreams of racing in Formula One but knows he has a long way to go.

The student was hoping to compete in the Formula Ford Championship this season but a lack of funding meant he had to turn down an offer to drive for Tim Sugden Motorsport.

However, Fuller hopes to secure a place in the Formula Ford series next year, which he hopes will lead to bigger things.

Fuller, who is at Varndean College, has to raise £30,000 for next year but will not be deterred in pursuit of his dream. He said: "Formula Ford is where careers kick off. The Formula One drivers now have done Formula Ford.

"The likes of Jenson Button and David Coulthard have done the British Championship. That is the launch pad for careers."

Fuller has been chasing a career in motorsport for a number of years.

He said: "I have been karting since I was 12. I wanted to do Ministox at Arlington so my dad put me into karting.

"I didn't do karting that seriously because of a lack of budget.

"I was trying to do the Formula Ford Championship this year, the BRD Series Silverstone Championship, but I couldn't raise sponsorship.

"I have wanted a career in motorsport since I can remember. My dream is Formula One."

Fuller attended the Silverstone Race School last year and recently participated in a Rockingham Johnny Herbert Experience.

He said: "In this I drove a Formula Rockingham car round the Infield Lake circuit. I was the quickest driver there and was overtaking people at speeds of 130 mph.

"I recently purchased a second hand kart and I now have a mechanic and help from a former world and British racer. I was only able to start karting properly at 16. In my first year of the championship I finished 11th out of 60 drivers, me being the youngest driver by about ten years.

"Last year in the championship I finished 18th out of 60 which was fairly disappointing despite race wins and podium finishes. I have also done numerous test sessions at Bayford Meadows kart track in Kent.

"I am hoping to do a few more Formula Ford experiences, possibly get my racing licence and maybe do a couple of races before the end of the year if I can afford it."