F2 champ has cancer

The 20-year-old Brit was seen as a rising talent in the sport who could one day follow in the footsteps of recent champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

"Specialists have made the diagnosis early and are confident that he will make a full recovery, with treatment scheduled to begin with immediate effect," a note on his website said on Friday.

"Dean is determined to beat the illness and...is already looking at sporting heroes like Lance Armstrong for inspiration in a bid to get back on track as soon as possible."

Armstrong overcame testicular cancer and a break from professional cycling while undergoing treatment to win the Tour de France seven times in a row between 1999 and 2005.