Formula Renault UK graduation

Fresh from winning the Formula Renault BARC title at the weekend, Hampshire-based racing driver Ollie Hancock will step up to the main UK championship for the season finale at Brands Hatch.

The 20-year-old secured his first major title in only his second season of modern racing with a podium in the BARC race at Thruxton, but will now skip the last round to make his debut in the BTCC-supporting Formula Renault UK championship.

“The aim at the beginning of the season was to win the title,” said BRDC Rising Star Hancock. “We’ve achieved that so now I’m already thinking about next year. Formula Renault UK is a step up, but I’m confident that we can be competitive and it’s a good chance to see exactly where we are in relation to the guys who have been racing in the championship all season.”

Hancock is keeping his options open for 2009 and while Formula Renault UK remains a possibility, he hasn’t ruled out a campaign in British F3 or in a European series. “It all depends on our budget and whether I can attract some new partners to help me. But I’m very keen to start moving up the motorsport ladder.”

Ollie’s toe-in-the-water Formula Renault UK campaign on the weekend of the 20/21 September will be with Apotex Scorpio Motorsport who helped him to his BARC title.