Phil Hanson became the youngest top 10 finisher in the prestigious Le Mans race

Phil Hanson, from Ascot, spent 24 hours racing around the world famous and often deadly course of Le Mans on Saturday, June 17.

The 17 year-old drove for Tockwith Motorsport (TMS) in the non-stop, 24 hour race and became the youngest ever top 10 finisher.

Hanson said: "The goal was to finish and we knew that was going to be tough enough, so to be classified in the top ten is incredible.

“Obviously it was my first Le Mans, I don’t think it will be my last, and, with the knowledge I’ve gained this week, I believe I’ll be more competitive again next time I race here.

“This place is unbelievable and for my first ever Le Mans, I’ll take this result.”

The race has claimed lives of 22 drivers across its 94 year history and 77 spectators in a horrific accident in 1969 but the Ascot teenager has always dreamt of taking part.

He added: “Like many, I grew up, watching films and loving GT40s, 917s, Mirages and McLarens sporting Gulf colours including the legendary actor Steve McQueen in the film Le Mans and we hope to add our own small chapter to Gulf’s long racing history.”

Racing alongside Hanson for Tockwith were Nigel Moore and Karun Chandhok, one of only two Indian drivers to have competed in the F1 World Championship.

The Yorkshire-based team, running a Ligier-Gibson JS P217 in partnership with Gulf Oil International became a fan favourite in the build-up to the 2017 event thanks, in part, to the iconic blue & orange colour scheme that is synonymous with the race.