ALESSANDRO LATIF, the rising GT prospect, makes his Brands Hatch debut in the Blancpain series next weekend.

Marlborough College student Latif is heading for his Blancpain Sprint Series races at the wheel of a Phoenix Racing Audi R8 LMS ultra sportscar.

Latif, who turned 18 only last month, drives for reigning DTM champions Phoenix Racing in the seven-race 'Sprint' series which includes a visit to iconic Brands Hatch on Sunday (May 18).

“I have never raced a car in the UK so I am really looking forward to it, especially at an historic track like Brands,” said Alessandro.

Latif shares the Phoenix Audi with German Marc Basseng, the 2012 FIA GT1 World Champion, in his maiden Blancpain campaign which got off to a solid start with two top-10 results at Nogaro in France last month.

Latif confirmed: “I have never been to Brands but it’s as close to my home as it gets. I’ve been studying onboard footage from previous races at the track and working in the simulator which gives a driver’s eye view of the circuit.”

The Blancpain Sprint Series is a seven-event programme that began at Nogaro and concludes in Azerbaijan in November.