Rob Collard is confident Team BMW can achieve immediate success at the British Touring Car Championship season opener at Brands Hatch this weekend.
The 13-time race winner also underlined his championship aspirations after a strong campaign last year.
Collard, who returns to the seat of the BMW 125i M Sport alongside team-mates Colin Turkington and Andrew Jordan, was the only WSR driver to complete any mileage with the new B48 engine during testing at Media Day.
The team, however, have conducted further testing since at Snetterton with the new power unit.
Collard underlined his pride at representing BMW in the championship and believes he can continue his strong turn of form from last season to string together a push for the title.
“I’ve never been as excited about a new BTCC season as I am right now,” admitted Collard.
“To be part of a Manufacturer team for the first time is a very proud moment for me, but it doesn’t change my target for the season,
“After having my most competitive BTCC campaign to date last year, I’m aiming for the title.”
He also pointed to previous success at Brands Hatch ahead of the meeting, the first of ten rounds contested across the UK.
“I won the first race of the year at Brands Hatch in WSR-run BMWs in 2012 and 2015 and that gives me a lot of confidence heading into the weekend,
“The BMW is always strong at Brands and I think Colin and I both have a very good chance of ending up on the top step of the podium.”