Banbury driver Will Bratt is facing a race against time to line up on the grid for the FIA Formula 2 Championship this season.

With just two weeks to the opening event at Silverstone on April 16/17, the 22-year-old still needs to secure the necessary budget to compete.

After a successful testing session at the new Snetterton 300 circuit, he said: “As ever, it’s all down to budget as to what we’ll be able to do this season.

“I’d love to be back in F2 to have another crack at the title and the Formula 1 test prize with Williams, but we still need to wait and see what’ll be possible.

“Our options are still open, but we know we’re running out of time.”

Bratt was an immediate pace-setter during testing, and was thoroughly dominant during the rain-affected fourth outing.

He ended the day with a best lap time of 1min 37.612secs (109.49mph), thanks to his quickest effort from the opening dry session.

The 2009 Euroseries 3000 champion was unable to run in session two after a damaged sump led to some extensive repair work to his Williams JPH1B.

In session three, he was only able to manage two laps when gearbox problems struck.

He said: “It was great to be back on track after six months away and I’m grateful for the opportunity to drive an F2 car again and show what I’m capable of.”

Anyone interested in backing Bratt can contact Henry Spratt at Enterprise Sports Management on 0207 5903667 or at henrys@ enterprisesports.com.