Enter the 206 GTI Cup and follow in the footsteps of F1 driver George Russell for just £5,000 a year

EVERYONE chooses their coolest photo for their Facebook or Instagram profile.

It’s almost the law.

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When they beat their last achievement, they also update their thumbnail.

They start with their marathon time, then in three months they jump off the plane. Then, a year later, they are sitting in a super sports car.

Makes me wish I had my eyes on it George Russellprofile of .

He starts today Bahrain Formula 1 GP in the same machinery as teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Take a look at his social media channels and you’ll see him in Mercedes-AMG Petronas teamwear from head to toe.

But exactly eight years ago, Russell’s car was a Citroen 2CV.

I don’t fuck you

From there he switched to a Peugeot 206 GTI as he competed in a series of one-off races to improve his motorsport license.

Now we all know that you have about the same chances of being an astronaut as you have of being an F1 driver.

But Russell is proof it can happen. And even if not, what’s the harm in finding your thrill in a cheap racing series?

My mate Matt Anderson spent a few pounds on Track Days when he realized he couldn’t race in the 206 GTI Cup for much more like Russell did in 2014.

“We share the excitement”

He bought a T-reg (1999) 206 GTI on Facebook for £800, spent around £2,700 getting it race ready and now he sleeps in the back seat of his Transit, towing it to places like Brands Hatch and Silverstone.

In fact, he will be racing at Silverstone in July, two weeks after the British F1 Grand Prix.

Matt, 36, an electrical contractor, said: “It’s good, cheap, fun, adrenaline.

“One set of tires should last the season. I bought a set of alloys for £50 and painted them. Then you have your starting expenses for the race, race gas, van gas and maybe a set of brake pads.

“There isn’t much more for in-season maintenance of the car. You do everything else over the winter.”

Matt watched F1 from the stands at Silverstone after his father Ian (and chief mechanic) won VIP tickets in an Air Ambulance raffle.

Now he’s dying to race there himself – and hopefully make it to the top step of that famous podium. His best result was second at Mallory Park last year.

Matt said: “It’s going to be a mega race on the same tarmac as Hamilton and Verstappen and Mansell and Schumacher and all these legends.

“And I will do it in a car that costs less than the sidepods of an F1 car. All kinds of drivers are represented in the 206 GTI Cup, from 18-year-olds to people in their late 50s. We all share the same passion and enthusiasm for it.

“A guy used to drive in the Porsche Carrera GT Cup. He didn’t want that intensity anymore, but he was still excited to race.

“Others use it as a springboard for progress. The BMW 116 Trophy caught my eye. I’ll look at that maybe next year or the year after that, but of course the costs will go up.”

Yes, but your Facebook photo will look way cooler.

• You can find out more about the 206 GTI Cup at trackattackraceclub.com. Many thanks to Blyton Park for giving us time for the photo shoot.

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