As we approach the half way point of the Formula Renault UK Championship, rounds 9 and 10 took place at Croft Circuit.
Throughout the weekend, the times were very close. This was apparent most of all in the first qualifying session where David was 7th fastest and was only 0.062 seconds off 2nd place. This was frustrating for David, as all weekend he was suffering from brake problems. This problem was highlighted the most in the second qualifying session, when David tapped the brakes as normal and both front wheels locked up and nearly took David off the circuit. He qualified 12th during the second qualifying session, much to his disappointment.
After qualifying, he commented: "We have had brake problems all weekend so far. We have tried to solve them and the brakes were better during the first qualifying session, but still not perfect. However in the second session they were the worst they have been all weekend, I was just locking up massively everywhere, even in corners you wouldn't expect it to happen."
Race one was another frustrating time for David as he was squeezed out at the start, but was soon back moving up the field, with a super dive down the inside of Stevens at the final corner. He then chased down and caught Tincknell and whilst battling with the slower car, David's wing took a knock and was broken. David maintained his position for most of the race despite Stevens' best efforts and David's lack of downforce. The wing kept hitting the ground and lap by lap got worse until he could not take the back section flat out, something the Formula Renault cars do easily. On the last three laps, David dropped from 8th to 12th due to the worsening problem.
David was once again on a charge in race two; David made up positions early in the race with some great overtaking and was up to 9th. He then caught up with 8th place driver Tincknell who David tried to pass around the outside of the final corner, but was pushed off wide by the defending driver. After David's attempt, his tyres started to go off and he was unable to challenge again for the position, but finished a credible 9th.
David commented: "The races have been tough, as the brakes were still not 100% and I was getting brake fade. However my pace has been good in the races and once again prove that I could have been in the position for a top three finish. The broken front wing was disappointing in race one, as my pace was good, but lap by lap it got worse and I had to start lifting for the easy flat section. It is hard to overtake in Formula Renault, especially with a brake problem but I felt as though I had strong races with good overtaking. Hopefully next time out we will have a problem free weekend."
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|