Powell is the first female to win a Formula Renault race

Oxfordshire-based driver Alice Powell is targeting a top three finish in the 2011 Formula Renault UK Championship.

Powell, 18, who won the British Automobile Racing Club Protyre Formula Renault title in 2010, will be the only female competing in this year's series.

"Top three is definitely the target. It's a very competitive series so a top three finish would be fantastic for us," Powell told BBC Oxford.

"But it's going to be tougher than last year so I can't get ahead of myself."

The Formula Renault champion added: "We've got to keep our feet on the ground because there's more competition this year.

"There's more money involved in this series and more money means the level of competition is higher."

We want a top finish because if you win you get noticed and that will help you to gain more money to go up to the next level Formula Renault UK drive Alice Powell

Powell recently extended her contract with Manor Competition, the same racing team that launched the careers of F1 champions Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen, and the youngster previously stated that she will need to attract more sponsorship deals if she is to progress in her motorsport career.

"We are all signed up for the next season but I've got to hope to find some good results along the way to boost my chances to get sponsorship to finish this season," she said.

"We will be finding money throughout the season to help me finish the championship. The last round is October so that gives us plenty of time to find some extra money.

"So we want a top finish because if you win you get noticed and that will help you to gain more money to go up to the next level."

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