Hemming to race F1 Jordan

The deal has been put together by Hemming's Formula Jedi team owner, Ben Muttock, who bought the chassis from Gary Ward. Hemming said: "We looked at all the usual options, such as Formula Renault and Formula 3, but the opportunity came up to buy the Jordan, and we decided that EuroBOSS was best for us. It was really just a gut feeling. Ben dealt with the sale - I just drive the car!"

Hemming tested the Jordan on the Silverstone National circuit last Tuesday, following a recent shakedown of the car on the Stowe loop.

"Words can't explain how it felt," she said. "I felt like crying, to be honest! Everyone dreams of driving an F1 car, and it doesn't matter if it's an old one or a current one. It was a dream come true."

The Northamptonshire-based Hemming, who works as a plant operator on a construction site, says a move into F1 proper is not at the top of her thoughts.

"I'll be doing this job for a long time," she said. "I would certainly like to stay in motorsport. I don't think there is a chance of doing F1 unless I get talent-spotted, although obviously I would like to! We'll just see where this takes me. I race to enjoy myself and come home from race weekends smiling."

Hemming has had a perfect season this year, and is aiming to complete a clean sweep of 15 wins at the Brands Hatch Formula Jedi finale next month.

"It's gone just as we wanted," she said, "although we didn't exactly plan for this. But it's more down to the team than the driver. They are an unbelievable bunch."

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Hemming to race F1 Jordan

The 19-year-old will compete in the single-seater series at the wheel of a Jordan 197 Grand Prix car. Sarah Kavanagh, who also raced an earlier Jordan, is the only other female to have raced in the series.