At just 18 years-old Felipe Nasr already has one season of British F3 under his belt, including a race win at Rockingham.  Now, the Brasilia born racer is aiming for the title as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brazilians Emerson Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, Rubens Barrichello and Nelson Piquet Jnr who have all competed in British F3 and taken the title.

How has your experience with Carlin been so far?

It has been very good, fantastic.  The team is very professional and I’m really enjoying the way everyone works in the team.  It makes me proud to be part of it all – it’s a pleasure to be working with the guys at Carlin. 

 How do you get on with your team mates?

We get on really well.  I know most of them quite well; Carlos was my team mate last year and I know Jazeman, Rupert and Jack because we did Formula BMW together.   For sure there will be a lot of competition between us this season.  We have a very strong team – most of us have experience of F3 before, so they will know what they are doing and will want to go out and win races.   

 What events are you looking forward to this year?

I’m really looking forward to Monza, it’s a very high speed circuit and you always get good racing there.  I have good memories of the track from Formula BMW when I won there in 2009 and I think the circuit will be even better in an F3 car.  Spa will also be very nice, it’s a real drivers’ circuit and of course I like Rockingham as well as I won my first F3 race there last year.   

How does it feel following in the footsteps of so many great Brazilian racing drivers in British F3?

It feels good.  I would say that F3 is still a very essential step in order to get to F1 as the guys before me have shown.  I feel like I need to do my job and do well in the championship so that I can try and follow in their footsteps.  Winning in British F3 means you have a better chance of a good future. 

 Does British F3 have a following in Brazil? 

Yeah, I mean we have so many Brazilians in F3 now, many web sites and journalists write a lot about F3 and British F3 especially.  I think people realise what an important championship it is. 

What are you expectations for the season ahead?

I want to do the best job I can do and win the most races that I can.  I learnt a lot last year, but now I want to work hard with the team, improve the car further and just push harder.  Whatever I need to do to win the championship I will do now because I really, really want it.   

 You made a good start to the season by topping both days of testing at Rockingham.  Does that help your confidence?

 Yes, for sure, it means we are going in the right direction. But other drivers and teams will keep improving so we have to keep concentrating and working hard and getting better. 

What are your ambitions for the future?

 For sure, the main target is to be in Formula 1, but I’m not sure about the next step.  At the moment, the only target is to succeed in British F3, but as for the next step after that – we will see.