Oxford's motorcycling star, Bradley Smith, says he has taken inspiration from Britain's Formula 1 sensation, Lewis Hamilton.

The 16-year-old, currently eighth in the 125cc world championship standings, has witnessed Hamilton's rise from go-karts to the fastest thing on four wheels - and has his own sights set on something equally meteoric in the two-wheeled version of Grand Prix racing.

As he prepared for Sunday's Nickel & Dime British GP at Donington, Bradley said: "Hamilton is doing so well for himself. It would be nice to do the same, but he's maybe had a bit more experience than I have.

"He's been driving cars for a long time, GP2 series and now Formula 1. He can take the spotlight for the moment . . . I'm happy to be just behind him!"

But the teenager's stunning progress on the Repsol Honda, and most notably his third-place finish at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, have given British race fans real hope that he can end their long wait to see a Briton take the chequered flag.

The last British rider to win a motorcycle Grand Prix was the late Barry Sheene 26 years ago.

Around 125,000 spectators will be at Donington over the weekend and although most will be there for Sunday's MotoGP Championship battle between Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner on the much more powerful 800cc machines, a large percentage will want to stay to cheer on Bradley in the 125cc race that follows.

"It will be great having so many British fans there," said Bradley, who has just left Wheatley Park School, but has a couple more GCSEs to fit in later in the year.

"At the other races you see a few Union Jacks, but not many compared to the Spanish and Italians.

"To have a lot of people there who are English, and also wearing the "Go Brad" T-shirts, will be a big boost.

"To know they're behind you, and so passionate . . . but they also understand - no-one has any expectations.

"A lot of people will be asking for autographs, but for one weekend a year I can put myself out and say thank-you for their support."

Switching from motocross to road racing nearly three years ago after a bad crash at Foxhills, Swindon in which he suffered a compound fracture of his leg, Bradley has been pleasantly surprised by his progress this year.

"You won't believe the guilt I felt at that crash when I saw his leg coming out at right angles," said his father Alan, himself a former motocross rider, at their home in Forest Hill.

After later trying out road racing, where injuries tend to be fewer and less serious, Bradley caught the eye of Honda team boss Alberto Puig, who gave him a place in his MotoGP Academy.

He hasn't looked back. He finished 19th in the 2006 championship, and was named Rookie of the Year, and his third place at Le Mans showed real promise.