Max Chilton has set himself the target of being the top British driver as he prepares for his second season in the British F3 International Series.
The 16-year-old made his debut in the championship last season with Arena Motorsport but has switched to defending champions Hitech Racing for 2008 where he will line-up alongside another second-year driver Walter Grubmuller – with a third driver expected to join them in the not too distant future.
Despite his relative lack of experience, pre-season testing has gone well for the younger brother of BTCC race-winner Tom, with a series of impressive times at circuits like Pembrey,
Snetterton and
Silverstone boosting confidence going into the new season.
"All the pre-season testing has gone really well for me, although the media day didn't quite go to plan, as whenever I went out on new tyres there was a red flag which spoiled my lap," he told
Crash.net. "However, at both Pembrey and Snetterton before that, I was in the top five which was very good.
"I always knew I could be up there on the times this year as last season I was quick, but I just wasn't in the best car. I got into testing with Hitech and I knew it was a better car straight away and that I had developed as a driver. Although I knew I would be quick, I didn't think I would always be inside the top five as I have been – I thought I might have a bad day and drop to tenth or something like that. But it has been good so far."
While joining Hitech - the team which took the title in dominant fashion last season with Marko Asmer - will bring extra pressures with it, Chilton said he was just focused on doing the job at hand as he aims to secure a maiden win and fight for honours amongst the British drivers in the field.
