First up, thanks for positive feedback to my debut Auto Action column last month, it was cool to receive your support!

With AA’s deadlines set in stone and a few significant days ahead, I’m jamming the column in between sitting school practice exams for my A-levels and the FIA Formula 3 Championship pre-season test, so I’m writing this while on my way to Bahrain.

The big news this week as you’ve probably read in this AA issue is that I’ve signed with Jam Sports Management, Aussie Formula 1 legend Mark Webber’s agency he set up with his wife, Ann and Jason Allen.

Everyone knows who Mark Webber is and what his incredible achievements in F1, LMP1, and other championships are. Mark’s experience will be a great asset to have on my side as he mentors me, trying to help me reach my goal of racing in F1.

The Bahrain test will be my first outing with Prema Racing for 2020, and I am excited about working with the team and finally getting back behind the wheel as the off-season has been a long break – it’s been too long since I’ve driven a race car.

Bahrain is a new track for the F3 series, and with the first round scheduled for Sakhir as part of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix later this month, it will be interesting to see how the test plays out.

All of the teams and drivers will need to learn the track to ‘acclimatise’ to the local conditions. Looking at past F2 and F1 races in Bahrain it seems like it’s a track that’s tough on tyres, so everyone will have to get their heads around that.

With the record Prema Racing have across all the series they contest and the experience I’ve had with them to date, I’m confident we’ll be able to adapt quickly and be on the pace – they’ve been amazing so far.

I visited Prema’s impressive headquarters in Grisignano di Zocco, Italy last month for my seat fitting and a media day. There I met and got to know all of my new team-mates – not just my F3 team-mates Frederik Vesti and Logan Sargeant, but the F2, Formula Regional, and F4 guys as well.

Prema has been excellent like that, creating a real team atmosphere rather than separating the classes and drivers. I like that; it makes me want to work with the team and carry on its winning tradition.

I’m pretty happy to be carrying the #1 on my Prema F3 Dallara this year. Some people believe it brings extra pressure, but it’s the same number that I ran with R-ace GP in Formula Renault last year, and I thought it brought some luck.

Prema let all its drivers stick with their numbers, so there weren’t any arguments. Regardless of whatever decal I put on my car, the goal is still the same, finish first in the championship, and I’ll be fighting to do just that.

After Bahrain and a week back at school, I’ll be heading home to Melbourne for the F1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix, which is exciting.

Renault Australia and the Renault F1 Team have a jam-packed schedule for me, so I won’t be able to spend much time at Mum and Dad’s and with my mates but being around the Grand Prix in an official capacity is going to be an excellent experience.

I’ve only ever been to Albert Park once as a spectator, but this year I’ll be fully integrated into the event, working with Renault off track and in the garage as well. It will be a massive opportunity, and I’m looking forward to grabbing it with both hands.

If you’re at Albert Park and see me, please say “Hi”.

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