ONE of the behind-the-scenes stars of the Grand Prix world returned to his old school - and told current students of the huge opportunities head of them.

Nick Chester is the technical director of the Renault Formula one team - a key position in the most prestigious motor-racing class in the world.

He was a student at Ripon Grammar School from 1980-87 before studying engineering at Cambridge University and breaking into motorsport in 1991, joining Renault in 2000.

He attended the lower school prize-giving ceremony - the last one for school head Martin Pearman, who is retiring after 13 years at the helm.

“I hugely enjoyed my time at RGS,” said Mr Chester, whose father owned a garage in the city’s Dallamires Lane.

“I was fascinated by cars and engineering from an early age and got my first taste of racing at club level with my father.

“If ever I did drift off in lessons I would find myself sketching car layouts - but now I work for a French team I realise I should have worked harder in languages.

"It shows you need to work hard in everything as you never know when that knowledge may come in useful.”

He urged students to consider the huge array of possibilities available to them, to find something they felt passionate about and to work hard to achieve their goals.

Ripon is the top school in North Yorkshire and the North-East for results for the fourth successive year, with current and past students achieving at the highest levels academically, in sport, culture and careers, on a local, national and international stage.

“This has been another remarkable year of endeavour and achievement and it has been a privilege and an honour to work in what is a truly special place, which I will miss,” said Mr Pearman.