Tim Bridgman has set his sights on Formula One after winning the 2007 Visma Formula Palmer Audi Championship. The Dunmow driver only needed three points to beat Sheffield s Stefan Wilson in the overall standings, and his third-place finish in round 19 a

Tim Bridgman has set his sights on Formula One after winning the 2007

Visma Formula Palmer

Audi Championship.

The Dunmow driver only needed three points to beat Sheffield's Stefan Wilson in the overall standings, and his third-place finish in round 19 at Croft on Sunday sealed the title.

"I'm over the moon, absolutely ecstatic," said 22-year-old Bridgman. "The aim right from the start was to win the championship, and I have. It's great for me and good for my career.

"I've now won three major championships in five years, which is a decent strike rate."

The weekend got off to a disappointing start for Bridgman on Saturday in round 18, with a fourth placed finish, despite starting second on the grid.

Nearest title challenger Wilson finished in third place to take the title race down to the final day.

"I flat-spotted my tyre avoiding someone in the second qualifying session, so I knew I was going to be a sitting duck out there," said Bridgman. "On top of that, my engine didn't feel good and I had to use the boost just to keep in touch."

However, Bridgman claimed the points he needed in the next race finishing above Wilson in third place after a sensible drive.

"We cleaned the tyres before the second race and made a few other adjustments and the car ran a lot better," he said.

"Stefan had to score maximum points, but half way through the race Jack Clarke, Luciano Bacheta and I had built up a big gap so there was no need for heroics and I just brought it home."

Bridgman was forced out on lap two in the final race after an incident with Matt Hamilton, but the result was academic as the championship was already in the bag, with the Dunmow driver finishing the year on 360 points, 28 clear of second placed Wilson.

"I had a huge crash at Silverstone in the first race, but other than that it's been a great season," said Bridgman.

"I've won six races, more than anyone else and been on pole more than anyone.

"The competition was tougher than I expected and I had to make sure I was on top form every weekend so I'm really happy with the ways things went."

Bridgman is unsure where he will be racing next season, but has already been inundated with offers. "My phone hasn't stopped ringing since Sunday but whatever I do I need to be in a good car as I want to win races," he said.

"There has been interest from British and German touring cars and I've also had contact from America. If I have to travel to the other side of the world to win races I will."

Bridgman has high hopes for the future and hopes one day to be lining up against Lewis Hamilton.

"Formula One is a dream of mine and is still a possibility," he said.

"I'm hoping I may be nominated for the Autosport Young Driver Of The Year Award and the prize for winning is a test drive in a Formula One car with McClaren and £50,000.

"That would be a massive boost and if I am at least nominated it would be a big help and could push my Formula One dream on."

Bridgman added: "I would like to thank my family, my girlfriend and my sponsors including Peter Charlton of CF Capital, Roger Clark of Car Carc and Laser Skoda in Harlow for their support.