It is now that time of the year where the first race is coming up and those familiar feelings and sensations are running through my body - I can't wait.

I have worked harder to get fit for the start of this season than I have done before and this just gives you more confidence going into the first race. The Patron Highcroft Acura team has been flat-out getting all the new parts fitted to the car and, although you don't want to be doing this just before a race because you need to have everything on the car tested and checked before you race, we are not in that situation, so we just have to deal with it in the best way we can.

The last test was a positive one and we have a good feeling heading to Sebring next weekend, as we have made a lot of progress since we started testing the new Acura P1 car.

With Audi and Peugeot there to take on the new Acuras, it should be a fantastic battle - that is if we are as reliable as we would like. Audi, with the new R15, will be in the same boat. I haven't heard how good this new Audi is, but I am sure they will be strong as they always are. However, with Acura and Audi running largely untried packages, Peugeot must be the favourites for victory as their car is fast and the most sorted. It will be interesting.

The other thing I am really looking forward to at Sebring is driving the Cooper T51 that my dad used to win his first Formula One world championship. He won he title at Sebring 50 years ago, so I am sure I will have a lump in my throat when driving it. I know dad wishes he was there too, but it is too big a trip for him now. However, I know he is pretty excited that I am driving the Cooper.

It is a big year for us at the Patron Highcroft Racing team, but we are really focused and determined to do even better than last year.

DB