Chart Sutton’s Tom Jackson hopes a switch to sportscar racing can lead to a drive in the world-famous Le Mans 24 Hours.

Jackson, 19, will make his European Le Mans Series debut at Silverstone this weekend after landing a seat in an LMP3 prototype with Speed Factory Racing, teaming up with Spaniards Alvaro Fontes and Jesus Fuster.

The former BRDC Formula 4 race winner, who finished third in last year’s single-seater championship, hopes to race at Le Mans soon.

He said: “My aim has always been to race at Le Mans and you can’t do that with single-seaters.

“I knew I would have to make the transition some time and LMP3 is a great stepping stone into LMP2 and the prototype ladder.

“I think it’s a great car to jump into and I think it’s a great step for hopefully racing at Le Mans. I am one step away and the aim is to race at Le Mans in LMP2.”

Jackson, who works as an instructor at Brands Hatch, will pilot an LMP3 Ligier this season for the Valencia-based Speed Factory.

The former Ginetta Junior driver had previously tested with Graff Racing in 2015.