After a disappointing debut season in the Renault UK Clio Cup last year Dan Zelos has switched teams for his second assault on the series with the aim of realising his full potential.

The 18-year-old Dereham racer has joined the Kent-based WDE Motorsport team, which is led on the driving front by series veteran and multi-race winner Paul Rivett.

'At this stage in my career, being able to work alongside somebody of Paul's calibre will be hugely important to my development as a driver,' said Zelos. 'Nobody knows or understands these cars and this championship better than he does.'

The former Ginetta Junior race winner graduated to the Renault Clio Cup last year and made an immediate impact by qualifying in third place on his debut at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit.

However, it was all downhill from then onwards, with the Norfolk youngster suffering from a number of incidents, some of his making while at other times a victim of overzealous driving by a number of his rivals.

'I was really beginning to get to grips with the championship in the latter stages of 2016,' explained Zelos. 'Although we never seemed to have much luck on our side. That toughened me up mentally and I feel much more positive going into my second season.'

After a dismal opening half of the season, Zelos started part two off on his home track of Snetterton and claimed what would be his best result of the season with a seventh-place finish in the opening race.

However, he didn't have an opportunity to build upon that result in race two as he was unceremoniously punted out of contention at the third corner, although he did fight back to claim 15th place and record his best meeting points haul of the season.

Zelos is hoping the change of environment, and being able to draw on the experience of Rivett, will allow him to unlock his natural speed and, allied to the knowledge he gained last year, propel him to become a regular visitor to the podium.

The local racer has already experienced his new car at a recent wet test day at Snetterton in preparation for the opening round of the season which takes place at Brands Hatch on April 1-2.