SCHOOLBOY Max Coates is scorching ahead of the rest of the pack as he pursues a career in the world of motor racing.

The teenage schoolboy from Scorton, near Richmond, already races karts nationally - and now he’s landed a role that’s the envy of his peers.

For as part of his GCSE work experience from Richmond School he’ll be heading straight for the top - at the headquarters of leading Formula One team Williams.

And after a week there he will spend his second week with the Hydrex Honda British Superbike Team at Shaun Muir Racing - SMR - in Guisborough.

To secure his placement with Williams he had the support of his school and was picked out of 100 applicants. He will be working in the aerodynamic model shop.

At SMR he will be experiencing a full range of activities, from helping on the engine tester, to loading the race truck'

The school’s work experience co-ordinator, Andrea Busby, said: "The placements are well deserved, with Max’s hard work in sourcing the contacts with Williams and SMR, plus his enthusiasm for his kart racing and his outgoing and larger than life character, combined with his hard work at school."