Oxford driver Paul Rees has set his sights on a title charge in the Formula Palmer Audi Championship.

The 23-year-old is fourth in the standings after the first three races at Brands Hatch last weekend.

He finished fifth in the opener, 3.417secs behind winner Josef Newgarden, of the United States.

Rees stepped up on that effort to take third place in race two, with Newgarden making it a double.

The Oxford ace was promoted to the podium after fellow Briton Richard Plant was handed a ten-second penalty for jumping the start.

Rees rounded off the day with seventh in the finale as Lithuania’s Kazim Vasiliauskas took the honours.

“I was really happy,” said Rees. “Obviously I wanted to win the race, but I got a solid podium finish on the first weekend.

“I hope to win at Silverstone in the next round and I am looking to win the championship.”

Rees, the son of 1960s Formula 1 and 2 driver Alan Rees, is in his second season in Formula Palmer Audi, having finished ninth last year.

He took a pole position in the opening round 12 months ago and challenged for top rookie honours, eventually finishing as the third highest-placed rookie and ninth overall.

Rees, who is being backed by Kidlington-based Oxford Audi, will be in action again at Silverstone on June 6-7 Standings: 1 J Newgarden (US) 64pts, 2 K Vasiliauskas (Lith) 60, 3 R Plant (GB) 53, 4 P Rees (GB) 46, 5 T Vautier (Fr) 45.