Fortec Motorsport driver Sebastian Hohenthal (Mora, Sweden) set the pace at the first official Formula Renault UK with Michelin Championship two-day test at Silverstone National circuit on March 1st/2nd. The Swede’s time of 54.421s put him just 0.03s ahead of Team Lemac AKA’s Jeremy Metcalfe (Fleet, Hampshire) with Hohenthal’s team-mate Sam Bird (Claygate, Surrey) a further 0.04s behind.
Most drivers were able to set their fastest time in the slightly warmer conditions on the second day. On Thursday, the top 21 drivers were covered by less than one second, confirming the pre-season belief that 2006 promises to be one of the most fiercely competitive seasons ever.
Hohenthal, 21, averaged 108.42mph as he set the fastest lap of the test and was delighted to head the standings. He said: “The car has always been quick in every test we have done and I knew there was extra speed there when I needed it. It’s always good to be top but it shouldn’t matter so much because races are what count. I just wanted to spend some more time in the car.
“You can see from the times that it will be a tough championship with lots of drivers very close together. But testing is one thing, and I think racing will be different. It’s so cold now it’s a very different time of year but the team has done a good job for me.”
Team Lemac AKA’s Jeremy Metcalfe was the only driver to top two of the six sessions over the course of the two days, although one of them lasted just six laps before being curtailed by snow. AKA’s Patrick Hogan (Killiney, Co Dublin), Jamun Racing’s Duncan Tappy (West Ewell, Surrey) and Manor Motorsport’s Cheng Cong Fu (Oxford) also headed individual sessions.
Chinese driver Cheng was the quickest overall on the opening day of the test, confirming his status as one of the title contenders in his third year in the Championship. Speaking after setting his time of 54.780s on Wednesday, Cheng said: “We really tried to concentrate on getting the set-up of the car right for the circuit and when the conditions were good we set a good time.
“You always expect difficult competition in Formula Renault UK so I’m very happy to be quickest today. Who gets pole position always comes down to what happens on the day but I’m confident I will have a good season. I’d be disappointed to finish outside the top six in races.”
Of those eligible for the B4 Group Graduate Cup, a competition for rookie drivers, Position 1 Racing’s Indian prospect Armaan Ebrahim (Hounslow) produced a stunning drive on Thursday afternoon to finish fifth overall in a time of 54.609s. Dean Smith (Wolverhampton) driving for Coles Racing and Fabio Onidi (Milan, Italy) driving for Fortec Motorsport were both in the top 10 overall in Wednesday’s session.
The next official test will be held at Snetterton circuit on March 8th/9th.
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