After impressing in last season’s Ford Fiesta Junior Championship, Lochlan Bearman is eagerly anticipating the start of the 2017 campaign.

The Epping-based teenager secured a fourth-place finish last year, despite being the youngest driver on the grid and experiencing a number of technical issues.

Having signed for leading team, Jamsport, Bearman is confident he can carry the form he showed last year into the new campaign after a productive off-season.

“Testing went very well for me but we will know exactly where we are when the racing starts at Brands Hatch and I just cannot wait,” Bearman said.

“Having been running third and closing on second towards the end of last season, it was disappointing the final two rounds went so wrong.

“It’s a massive change going into a big team with all of the support, knowledge and know-how they have. I immediately felt at home and I’m learning more all the time.”

Topping the timesheets throughout pre-season testing will serve as a further confidence boost to Bearman ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch on Saturday, April 9.

Such is his belief in his new team, the five-time former karting champion is settling for nothing less than claiming the title.

He said: “I really want to win the championship this year and feel that I’m in the right team to do this.

“There are still things that would support my challenge, such as more testing and some car improvements, but currently I don’t have the budget for that. I am very excited and feel positive for the season.”

The 16-round Fiesta Championship sees competitors take on some of the UK’s most famous circuits and concludes at Donnington Park in October.