Eighteen-year-old Jaafar had a strong rookie season with two podium finishes, including a second place finish in only his tenth F3 race. With 16 top ten finishes from 30 starts, Jaafar proved his potential for victory and as he enters his second year of racing in this top F3 series, the Malaysian teenager is keen to build on his success. “My first season of British F3 was a huge learning curve," says Jaafar. “I moved up from Formula BMW to the much more powerful and more technical F3 machinery and had a lot to learn. Entering 2011 I feel much more comfortable, not only having already competed at this level for a season, but also by staying with Carlin who nurtured me through my rookie year, I have a stability which is very important. I would like to thank PETRONAS for giving me the opportunity to race at this high level in motor racing.” “My goal is always to win races and from the outset that will be my focus this season. The grid shaping up for this year looks highly competitive and I don’t underestimate how tough it will be, but I have the commitment, passion and determination to succeed. As a racing driver my aim is to reach the pinnacle of my sport, which is, of course, Formula 1, and if I am to do that I have to prove that I have the skill and the talent needed; British F3 is the right training ground for this.” The British F3 International Series 2011 calendar takes in five countries and includes four tracks currently raced in the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. The season opens at Monza, Italy on 14th -16th April and concludes at Silverstone, UK on 7th – 9th October, with testing being resumed in late February. Jaafar is keen to be in the driving seat again, saying, “In the off season when there is no racing my preparations never stop, so at the moment it is intensive training which is my primary focus; keeping my body fit and at peak performance ready for a return to testing next month is essential. I’m not enjoying the months away from being behind the wheel of a racing car, but I’ll just have to be patient for a few more weeks.” With the backing of Malaysian national oil company, PETRONAS, Jaafar is set for his second season with current British F3 champions, Carlin. The team’s Racing Director, Trevor Carlin, says of Jaafar staying with the team for 2011, “Jazeman had a good rookie season with us in 2010 and he’ll be able to take the momentum he built with us into another season of F3 racing. We’re pleased Jazeman and PETRONAS opted to stay with Carlin this year and we look forward to consolidating all the hard work last year, building on the experience and working together to bring further success.”