Blissett unveils Team 48

Team 48, which will run two Alfa Romeo 156s, is named after the SS Windrush, the first ship that arrived from Jamaica bringing workers to a smashed post-war Britain.

Blissett, who is now busy preparing for the 2008 season with fellow team founders Barnes, Ferdinand and motoring journalist Kevin Haggarthy, also said that the achievements of Lewis Hamilton have had a positive effect upon their plans.

"It's something I've talked about for years," he said. "I've been into Touring Cars and F1 forever. I absolutely love it – when I was playing for Bournemouth I'd get up at four in the morning to go over and watch the Grand Prix.

"Lewis and I spoke about the project two months before he got the drive with McLaren, and to think what has happened since [Lewis's success] is incredible.

"It was encouraging for us too – it all helped to drive the project forward. Hopefully I'll be able to continue to use it to the benefit of everyone.

"Myself, Les, John and Kevin are looking to take part in other series later, hopefully Le Mans by 2010.

"We had a test in the Seat last week and at the moment we are looking to get the funds together for the coming season. It's all hands to the pump: we're busy getting the cars ready, but testing prior to the new season is not an issue. We are negotiating the purchase of the cars now. We do not have to do anything big with the cars beforehand."

The season begins on March 30 at Brands Hatch. Team 48 has two relatively unknown drivers signed up, but Blissett has confidence in them.

"Matthew Gore has been racing in Jamaica for the last 12 years. He's raced Subarus and Mitsubishis, cars with lots of power. He's now going to have 300 bhp to play with – but the big difference will be how well the car handles compared with those he has raced before.

"Darrelle Wilson has raced karts and in the mini challenge and Volkswagen championship. He is a quick, young driver, only 19 – this will give him the opportunity to show what he can do with a new car and new team.

"It'd be nice if we can do a bit of testing before Brands Hatch, just so the boys can get a bit of a feel for the cars."

Blissett, who also played for Watford and Milan in his football career, expressed a desire to use the team for more than just competitive racing.

"We will be looking to have a lot of interaction with the local community," he continued. "We will get the racing up and running and get organised first; things will take shape as we move ourselves along.

"We want to give an opportunity to disadvantaged and disaffected kids: give them some focus and something to strike for, show them how to contribute to society.

"We have an opportunity to use our status – for want of a better word – to give guidance to kids who are born into certain areas where there may be things such as drugs, which they can sometimes become embroiled in unwittingly.

"We want to show them that they can become whatever they want to if they put in the work."

Blissett said he is proud of what has been achieved by black Britons in the 50 years since the Windrush docked - and wished 2007 runner-up Lewis Hamilton all the best for the impending formula one season.

"A lot of the people involved in our team are from the Caribbean, but not exclusively. It seemed like a good time to celebrate the ship arriving in '48. What we have achieved in that short space of time: who would have thought that?

"But Team 48 is a totally inclusive race team: there are people of many origins, English people, white people and others working as part of the business.

"I wish Lewis Hamilton all the very best this season in every possible way. To see a black driver, in his first F1 season, perform in the manner and conduct himself in the manner he did was fantastic."

The F1 season begins this weekend with the Australian GP in Melbourne.