Teenage Formula Renault UK star Will Bratt made the championship paddock sit up and take note during testing at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit yesterday, ahead of the opening two rounds of the series’ annual Winter Championship.The 17-year-old, from Adderbury in Oxon, was in superb form throughout the day and ended the official test fourth fastest overall with a time of 45.354 seconds (97.33mph) – less than four 10ths of a second adrift of the quickest time of all, set by the vastly more experienced Chinese driver Cheng Congfu.Furthermore, Will claimed several high-profile scalps having lapped quicker than the likes of Formula Renault UK race winner Patrick Hogan and experienced runner Rodolfo Gonzalez, as he handled the changeable conditions supremely well.The only low-point of an otherwise fantastic test came just under an hour before close of play when Will’s car slid off the circuit at Clearways. His Scorpio Motorsport mechanics, however, believe the damage to be minimal and so hopes are high for an equally impressive showing tomorrow, Friday, 4th November, during ‘free practice’.Although absolutely delighted to be fourth fastest on the timesheets, the incident proved to be more frustrating than it otherwise may have been as other drivers had the benefit of a drying track while Will was forced to sit on the sidelines.Nonetheless, the 17-year-old is confident of continuing to be among the pacesetters tomorrow and will be aiming for a career-best Formula Renault UK qualifying performance on Saturday – having achieved his previous high of 10th position on the grid at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix configuration in October. Speaking on the day’s testing, Will said: “I’m very happy indeed to be fourth fastest, the morning session was great and I felt pretty comfortable out there which is a good sign and leaves us feeling quite confident at this stage.“Things were going well during the afternoon too but I think we took a little too much rear wing off the car and that’s ultimately what led to me sliding off the circuit at Clearways. Prior to this we’d been running very strongly again, just nine 1,000ths of a second slower than Richard (Keen – reigning Graduate Cup Champion).”Will added: “All in all it’s been a good day for us, one of our most fruitful test sessions since we’ve been in Formula Renault. Hopefully we can build on today’s performance tomorrow and then head into qualifying with a good set-up and the chance of a place near the front of the grid.”After today’s pair of ‘free practice’ sessions, the serious business of qualification will begin on Saturday, 5th November ahead of the opening two rounds of the Winter Championship on Sunday, 6th November.