“I wasn't really sure what to expect when I first came to the team. I didn't know what Matt and Fabrizio would be like, but they've both been great, really forthcoming with information and helping me to get up-to-speed. They're good fun both on and off the track.”

Looking ahead to the season curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch this weekend, Onslow-Cole said only qualifying would serve as a true indicator of just how competitive everyone really is. Though he insists he is aiming to leave the Kent circuit 'near to the top of the table', he is aware that a full title tilt in what is only his sophomore campaign in the series may still be a little premature.

“It's tough because you never know if anyone is holding back or running light [in testing],” he explained. “I think by the looks of things there are going to be a lot of cars and drivers up there fighting for race wins. It looks like it's going to be a seriously competitive year, and I think it's going to be wide open.

“The Hondas look very quick with their developments over the winter, and the BMWs look to have great pace too. The only ones not to have shown their hand yet are SEAT, but they will be up there as well. I think once they get the diesel sorted they are going to be incredibly strong, but we have obviously got a bit of advantage because we are hitting the track running. The early results are going to be really important for us.

“If I can come away from Brands Hatch near to the top of the table, that would be a fantastic grounding with which to start the season. I'm not necessarily going out there to win all the races, but a podium or two would be nice

“Being a 30-race championship, consistency will definitely be key. It's a balance between pushing hard enough to get a decent finish and not pushing too hard and putting a wheel off here and there. It's definitely a fine balance to strike, and I think that showed in the battle last year – Jason Plato finished every race in the points and he was there in the championship all the way to the end. You've got to be there at the end.

“The championship is obviously what every driver is aiming for, but up against Matt and Fabrizio, for me a great result would be to come away from the season having split them and been involved in the title fight. That would be an unbelievable year, but deep down like any driver it's the championship I want.”