Racing driver Will Bratt has signed an 11th-hour deal to compete in the 2011 FIA Formula 2 Championship.

Off the back of a highly successful track return during official F2 testing at Snetterton in Norfolk the week before last, the 22-year-old Banbury racer has firmed up his racing plans for the coming year.

His sole focus is lifting the title – and with it the coveted prize of a Formula 1 test drive with Grove’s AT&T Williams F1 team.

Bratt, who won the Euro-series 3000 Championship and Italian Formula 3000 crown in 2009 before stepping in to Formula 2, aims to begin the campaign strongly.

The first two rounds of 2011 get under way this weekend at Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.

Bratt said: “I really am very happy to return to F2 this year.

“It’s a fantastic championship with an incredible prize and we visit some of the very best circuits in the world.

“My sole aim is to win the title this year, that’s my expectation and I intend to deliver.

“The deal is very late in the day, so we did miss the Silverstone test in March, but that should not be a problem – I’m confident we’ll be strong.”

Bratt, who will celebrate his 23rd birthday on Wednesday, finished fifth in the F2 driver standings in his maiden season in the category last year.