Billericay''s Matt Davies was determined to start his Green Flag British Formula Three challenge in winning style at the weekend, driving his Renault Elf Promatecme car in the opening round of the PowerTour Series at the Thruxton Circuit in Hampshire.

Davies starts the championship as a hot title favourite following last year's superb debut season and subsequent move to number one driver position at the highly-rated Renault Elf team, filling the shoes of Jenson Button, now in the high-flying world of Formula One.

Despite conditions proving to be far from ideal throughout the pre-season test schedule, nothing has stopped confidence levels within the Renault Elf team reaching sky-high.

Significant progress has been made during the build-up to the seven-month campaign with Davies using every available moment to gel with team manager Chris Weller and his hand-picked group of mechanics assembled following Button's move to Williams Grand Prix.

Renault Elf Promatecme team manager Chris Weller said on Friday he believed Davies had a very good chance of clinching the title.

"He has adjusted to the team very well. Testing has been positive, despite the difficult conditions, and Matt's attittude has been highly professional throughout.

"It's no wonder that he starts the season as a favourite for the title. He could go all the way."

Rain at no less than five of the official test sessions restricted the number of meaningful laps Davies could record.

Nevertheless, the ex French Formula Renault champion is eager to start the season for real.

"Apart from the weather, everything has gone very smoothly in our tests so far," said Davies on Friday.

"I feel very confident about both the team and the car and I'm way ahead of where I was this time last year. As a team we seem to have really clicked and I can't wait to get started."

F3 star Matt Davies

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