Power joins former Webber mentor Docking.

Australian driver Will Power believes he has taken another significant step towards his goal of racing in Formula One, having signed to follow in the footsteps of role model Mark Webber by signing with Alan Docking Racing for the 2004 British Formula Three Championship.

Power, along with fellow Aussie Will Davison, has been promised a Formula One test with Minardi should he show improvement in performance this season, and sees a deal with ADR as the best way of living up to Paul Stoddart's expectations.

"Alan's been in England for 30 years and he's a legend in F3 circles," the 22-year old explained, "It's great for me to be joining forces with him for this season.

"Almost one-third of the drivers who have raced for Alan have gone on to F1 - including Mark Webber, Jacques Villeneuve, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Mika Salo, Jos Verstappen and Marc Gene. That's an incredible record and, if I can emulate what some of those guys have done, I'll be really happy."

Power made the move to the UK in 2003, teaming up with Diamond Racing, before moving to Fortec Motorsport for the second half of the year, when he became a regular frontrunner.

"It will be my second season of F3 in Britain, and last year was a real mixed bag," he admitted, "I started out with an uncompetitive team, missed some races in the middle of the season, then hooked up with Fortec Racing and got some pretty good results. I was second in a race at Thruxton in Hampshire, as well as fourth in another and fifth in two more. With a bit of luck, I could have got a couple more podiums.

"The aim for this year is to win some races and, hopefully, the championship. It's a big ask, but you've got to aim high. There are guys from all around the world racing in the series and everyone has basically the same car, so it's very much down to the driver and getting the most out of the car - and working well with your team. The 'chemistry' with Alan is terrific and I just hope I have a really good team-mate, because that helps the team and should bring out the best in you."

Power said he expected the 2004 British F3 title favourite to be former F1 world champion Nelson Piquet's son, Nelsinho, who was third in the 2003 championship and has already tested for the Williams F1 team.

"Piquet Jr is definitely going to be the guy to beat," the Aussie said, "I probably raced him more than anyone else in 2003 and he's very fast, but very clean."

Docking, who's team has won the British F3 title three times with British drivers in 1975, '76 and 2002 said Power had 'some very good skills'.

"I enjoy having young drivers come along and taking them from one level to the next - and I like to have Aussies in the team if I can," Docking said, having given Davison his start in the UK F3 series last season, "Mark Webber was with me in 1997 and, even though we didn't win the title that year, he is the most determined fellow I've ever known.

"His strength of character in getting to F1, against all the odds he had to overcome, was unbelievable. Michael Schumacher is the top shelf in F1, but Mark Webber is just one shelf down from him. Will has got a way to go to get to those levels but, if we can work well together, hopefully he can make progress and get to F1 too eventually."

Webber continued to be an example to Power, who intends to follow in his footsteps all the way to the top-flight.

"I know Mark a bit - my girlfriend Kerry Fenwick actually works for him - and what he's done in his career has been absolutely brilliant," the youngster admitted, "He's definitely going to be my role model and, with Alan Docking's guidance, hopefully I can follow in his footsteps all the way to F1."

While Power will receive some support from the CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motor Sport) Foundation - of which Docking was a founder - London-based former Australian race driver turned property investor Colin Hyams will spearheading efforts to ensure the Queenslander raises the near seven-figure budget needed for an F3 season. Assisting Hyams in his fund-raising efforts is long-time friend, businessman and motor racing supporter Tom Warwick.