FIA Formula Three European Championship racer Mitchell Gilbert has returned to Twickenham with one aim in mind – to put a year to forget behind him.
 

The 19-year-old driver believes his second year in the series will see the best of him, especially as it sees a return to Fortec Motorsports, with which he raced in Formula Renault UK in 2011.
 

The Twickenham racer has vowed to put the disappointments of last season behind him when he found it difficult to get any momentum going.
 

And after three months of gym work, the Australian – based in Germany last season with Mucke Motorsport –  cannot wait to get back behind the wheel and remind everyone what he is capable of.
 

“I’m looking forward to being competitive again,” said Gilbert, right.
 

“I learned a lot more about myself than my driving last year. Sometimes racing is a different world and you have to soldier through the difficult times or you can take it to heart.
 

“Most people have a year they wished hadn’t happened, but you learn the most in that period. Now it’s about going forwards and upwards.
 

“Last year is not really a reflection of what I can do, so now we think I can surprise a few people during the season.

“I’ve just been training and getting fit over the past few months, but I haven’t been in a car since December – a lot of drivers will have been the same. So, I’m really excited about getting back in one.
 

“I’m really looking forward to working with a British team again. They know me after my time there three years ago and there’s more of a belief that I can do it this time.”
 

The Championship starts at Silverstone on April 18 and Gilbert sees 2014 as pivotal to hopes of landing a Formula One shot.
 

“F1 is still the dream,” he added.
 

“This isn’t a new start, but I’m looking at it as a turning point.
 

“I can’t wait to show what I can do again.”