‘I want to win this’ - Slater excited for the title fight at Madring

Freddie Slater is “buzzing” for the title fight in Madrid, with the TRIDENT driver on the cusp of being crowned Formula 3 champion this weekend.

The British driver comes to the circuit 15 points clear of title rival Ugo Ugochukwu, with there being a possibility of him taking the title on Saturday.

As the 18-year-old previewed the racing action, he also reflected on his season to date, and why he is proud to be in the position he is in now.

“I'm buzzing,” said Slater ahead of the weekend. “I think obviously last weekend was what it was, and we could have been in a much better position going into this weekend. But that's in the past and now we focus on this weekend.

“I've done an incredible job all year. The team has done an incredible job as well. For the results we've had, we've had eight podiums in eight weekends.

“We've been on the front row in however many qualifyings. It's been an incredible rookie season. So to put ourselves in a championship, the pressures on everyone else as a rookie, it's just having fun and maximising results.

“There's a lot of other things that other people need to prove, but for me it's just about trying to fight for this championship and win it on Sunday.”

Slater got his first taste of the Madring last month at the in-season test, and he topped two of the four sessions across the two days of running.

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When asked about the circuit, Slater said: “I love it. I think it's one of the best tracks on the calendar. It's one of the most exciting. It's old school. It's got character.

“It's one of the most exhilarating to drive and it's nice to get a new track that actually has that to it. It gives you a real buzz when you drive it on the qualifying lap.

“So honestly, I can't wait for qualifying, a sunset qualifying, which is going to be quite late. “The track's going to be fast, cars are going to be fast, low fuel, everything. So it's going to be an enjoyable one.”

Slater comes into the weekend with eight podiums from all eight rounds, and he believes a title at the end of the round would be the perfect ending to a great campaign.

“I think I've proven everything that I've needed to,” he said. “I've done an amazing job all year. I'm not a person that always gives myself a lot of credit, but honestly, when I look back on this year, the things I've done in my control have been really well executed.

“Now we want to go fight for a championship. I don't want to finish second and I want to win this thing. So I'm going to do everything in my power, everything that we can to try and win it. I'm definitely going to leave anything out there.”