Jarvis targets British F3 title

Recent champions Alvaro Parente, Nelson Piquet Jr, Alan van der Merwe, Robbie Kerr and Takuma Sato all had at least one year's experience of the formula before their title seasons.

Jarvis hopes to become the first driver since Antonio Pizzonia in 2000 to win the title in his first year in the category, after signing with reigning champions Carlin Motorsport this month.

"In my mind this is a one-year attack on the championship," Jarvis told autosport.com. "I certainly feel as if I can win races and if you win races and stay in the top three of the championship you certainly become a factor later on in the season.

"I feel in the way the tests have gone I should be out there and competing for the title. Of course you have Mike Conway and he is in his second year of the category and has done a lot of testing. He is certainly going to be the favourite but I don't see any reason why we can't challenge him and give him a real battle."

Formula Renault UK champion Jarvis opted for a season in British F3 instead of a year in the World Series by Renault, where he had already tested for two teams. He says he chose British F3 because of the series' reputation.

"There is a lot of prestige behind British F3 and I've got to try and progress myself as a driver and look beyond this year and think about 2007," he added. "British F3 is the best way to progress my career.

"Historically and even in the present day British F3 is very highly regarded. I will learn a little bit more winning British F3 than I would winning the World Series by Renault. Another factor was the testing in the World Series is limited and the British F3 is a little bit more open.

"I need to use test days to my advantage so when 2007 comes I'm a better driver for it."