Jordan King has earned himself a potentially career-enhancing test in a 530bhp, V8-engined World Series by Renault single-seater, by dint of lifting the runner-up laurels in the 2012 Formula Renault Northern European Cup (NEC)and the talented young Warwickshire ace is determined to make the most of the opportunity.

Competing for Manor MP Motorsport in only his second full campaign in cars after shining on both the national and international karting stages, King tallied no fewer than nine podium finishes in the hotly-contested NEC this year. Moreover, as a measure of his outstanding consistency, he took the chequered flag inside the top five on an extraordinary 13 occasionswith a magnificent breakthrough victory at Zandvoort the undisputed highlight.

Those impressive results secured the highly-rated Stoneleigh-based speed demon a superb second out of the 53 contenders in the final standingsthough it was not, he reflects, without a tinge of regret at what might have been...

I was disappointed to miss out on the title, if Im truthful, he confessed. There were a lot of points thrown away for various reasonsbe it mistakes or wrong decisions that cost us quite heavilyand but for that, it would have been a pretty close-run thing. It could have been a completely different story, but then motor racing has always been full of ifs and buts.

Still, there are definitely positives to take away from finishing second overall at the end of my first full season in Europe. The competition was certainly tough, with the top ten drivers I would say all capable of winning, but our pace was good throughoutwe were invariably right up at the sharp end.

Ive learned a lot from this year and have improved as a driver in every single areaqualifying, racecraft, overtaking, feedback, working with the team and understanding how to get the best out of everybody around me. Thats all good experience and will make me a stronger and more confident competitor going into 2013.

King added to his NEC success with flashes of front-running form and scintillating raw speed in the high-profile Formula Renault Eurocup, snaring a sensational podium at the Hungaroring and snatching fifth spot at fellow F1 venue the Nrburgring.

Indeed, the 18-year-old McLaren AUTOSPORT Award finalist, British Racing Drivers Club (BRDC) Rising Star and MSA Academy member was on-track to finish a season-best second in the Barcelona finalea result that would have deservedly hoisted him into the top ten in the drivers rankingsuntil being forced to serve a drive-through penalty after his mechanics were deemed to have been working on his car too soon before the start of the race.

Kings focus now, however, is very much on what lies ahead rather than what has been, and over the upcoming weeks, he has not only the McLaren AUTOSPORT Award shoot-out at Silverstone to look forward to, but also his World Series by Renault baptism. The Hugo Boss brand ambassador is evaluating the championship amongst several others as an option for 2013meaning it is the perfect time to really make his mark.

I dont honestly know what to expect, he mused. Its obviously a seriously fast car, with a lot more power and downforce than Ive been used to in Formula Renault, and its just a fantastic prize and a really exciting opportunity. Ive always been keen to continually push myself beyond my comfort zone, and it will be great to have the chance to show team managers what Im capable of in machinery that is a little further up the motor racing ladderit can only really raise my profile within the sport. I cant wait!