The British 'rookie' followed up his maiden victory last time out at Germany's Nürburgring circuit, by claiming second place in the seventh round of the series.

It was the 21-year-old's third podium placing of the season and also marked his sixth consecutive points-scoring finishand puts him sixth overall in the driver standings on 35 points.

Sims started his weekend on form and looked like a podium challenger from the off. He steered his Mücke Motorsport Mercedes car to the second fastest time in his group in qualifying on the 1.19-mile Indy Circuit.

He started Sunday's big race fifth on the grid and was fourth after just one lap.

Then he overtook Mexico's Esteban Gutierrez before passing team-mate Sam Bird for second.

He had his sights set on the leader, New Zealand's Brendon Hartley, for the rest of the race but the Kiwi held his nerve, taking the win just three tenths of a second ahead of Sims.

"I'm very happy to get the podium starting from fifth, especially at home in front of family and friends."

The 2009 Formula 3 Euro Series heads to Spain for Round 8 with Circuit de Catalunya, home of the Spanish Grand Prix, hosting the action from September 18-20.

This weekend Sims is racing in Round 5 of the Radical European Masters at Silverstone.

The reigning 'McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year' gets his first ever crack at driving the Radical SR8, which is produced at the Radical Sports Cars factory in Peterborough.

"I'm looking forward to getting out there in the Radical this weekend. I saw the Radical car close up for the first time last week and it looks excellent! I think it'll be tough but a lot of fun. There's no pressure on me but as always I want to do well no matter what I'm racing.

"My goal is to reach Formula One but I enjoy all forms of racing and it's always good as a young driver to sample different types of equipment."