Weybridge race ace Aaron Scott is gearing up to launch an assault on next season's British Formula Renault championship and a possible ticket into the world of Formula One.

Scott, 23, recently completed what he described as a "satisfactory" season in the British Formula 3 Championship, in his Toyota powered Dallara, scoring points in all rounds of the championship to finish 10th overall.

His achievement with Rowan Racing was completed on a shoestring budget of about a third of his rivals.

"I was pleased with my performance this year," he said. "I would have liked to have won the championship.

"We knew that would be difficult with the budget we had.

"I learnt plenty this season. The F3 cars are complex machines and the experience will stand me in good stead.

"I am used to winning but I am a professional driver now and you learn to cope with difficult situations!"

Aaron's determination and previous achievements earned recognition from the British Racing Drivers' Club, who nominated him as a rising star in the sport.

Highlight

"To be nominated was a highlight of my career so far," he said. "Another was winning the 1999 BRDC Formula Ford championship."

Scott has his eye firmly on next season's rough and tumble world of Formula Renault.

"That's the target for next year," he said.

"I'm talking to the top two teams in the championship Manor Motor sport and Fortec.

"F3 is difficult because you need a good budget so that you can have top engines, engineers and testing miles.

"In Formula Renault there are more restrictions on the car so I can just get on with the driving.

"Also a year's experience in F3 will give me an advantage when I start testing in Formula Renault.

"I've proved I can win races in other categories and I'm confident that, with the right team I can challenge for the championship."

Scott is looking to follow in the footsteps of McLaren F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen, who competed in Formula Renault before being signed by Sauber.

"Kimi competed in Formula Renault, before going straight in to F1," he said.

"It proves it can be done and look at how well Kimi is doing. That's my ambition.

"I'm still young enough. In this sport you need the occasional lucky break."

Scott says to succeed in motor racing you have to have a shrewd business brain, as well as a hunger to win races.

He added: "All the great drivers had excellent business sense.

"You have to work out deals and have a survival instinct. And then you have to go and show your mettle as a driver on the track.

"I would say I'm not an aggressive driver, I have a smooth style.

"It does the job for me when I'm behind the wheel."

December 28, 2001 15:01