Epping may have a new racing star in its midst after a 15-year-old Formula 4 racing driver finished second in the Rookie Championship.

Aryton Simmons managed to achieve the impressive result after he missed six races this season due to his age, but he took to the eight F4 circuits he competed on, finishing second in the last race of the season at Brands Hatch.

“I was just over the moon for him. He has been racing for a long time and at the end of the season he put in a great race to come second overall,” said Aryton’s dad Steven Simmons.

“It was a big step for him to cross over from karting to drive a car that goes over 140 miles an hour.

“But Aryton just kept it together. He is not a careless driver, he keeps it calm and it is impressive to see.

“For the last race he thought he could qualify sixth, we knew he could, and he ended up qualifying in second.

“He started driving when he was six and won the World Junior Open when he was 11.

“We had a big hug and cried our eyes out after that second place. He has progressed so much this year.”

Aryton is now managed by Jamie Horner, brother of Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner, and drives for Arden.

The 55-year-old explained: “Jamie steers us in the right direction. He is always looking out for us; he was really the missing link.

“I managed Aryton beforehand and I do not know much about motorsport racing. It was like going into the sport without a road map.

“Next season is where Jamie will really come into his own and help us go that little bit further.”

With the runners-up spot now under his belt, Aryton will hope he can go one better next season.

He fended off people who were five years older than him and was also the only driver who finished every race he started.

“Next season we will be going in Formula 4 once again and we will be going for the championship," said Simmons.

“There is no point going into a championship you will win easily. That is the plan at the moment. We will then look at our options at the end of next year.”

He added: “His ultimate dream is to be in Formula 1 and he will be thinking about that at the end of next year.

“But at the moment he just wants to be the best he can be and produce good races. He could be racing Formula 1 in a couple of years.

"And there are other avenues too as a GP2 driver could get injured and he will he asked to test in a GP2 car. But he always thinks in the present.”

His dad also wanted to thank Aryton's school St John's in Epping for all their support. 

To follow Aryton on Facebook or twitter visit https://www.facebook.com/ayrtonsimmons2001/?fref=ts or @ASimmonsFdez