ALEX Lynn begins his first season as a full-time racer in Formula E this weekend – and the 24-year-old is hoping to make a big impression in the electric series.

Lynn, who lives in Grove, convinced Sir Richard Branson’s DS Virgin Racing team to make him a permanent driver after he came in as a replacement in his only race in New York last year and qualified on pole.

Technical issues with his car meant he had to retire from the race.

But his skill behind the wheel was on show when he claimed pole during qualifying and the team named him as a driver alongside Sam Bird for the new campaign.

The season begins with a double-header in Hong Kong this weekend and Lynn has no intention of shying away from the challenge.

He said: “It has been a long time coming now.

“We’ve had a lot of time preparing and testing and I’m looking forward to the talking stopping and the action beginning.

“I always felt that I could compete, even before New York, and while obviously I wasn’t expecting that, I was hoping that I could fight for the opportunity to be up there.

“I’m still a rookie in the championship, even though I’ve had a pole position.

“So I’ve had a small head start but there is still a lot for me to learn.

“But I’m confident it will help me hit the ground running.”

Formula E is a global electric street racing series in major cities.

Hong Kong is the start of a season which includes stops at Marrakesh, Santiago, Mexico City, New York, Paris and Rome.

Lynn said: “It is a big year, a big championship so all you can do is trust the process and hope that delivers results.

“I am just excited to be racing the big guys, I like to think we’ll be at the front and having good races so that means taking on the big guys and the big teams. We’re here to compete.”