Atech Reid GP continued to lead the way in the second official Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship test session at Silverstone this week, with Cypriot Tio Ellinas topping the times around the 1.6mile National Circuit on Tuesday.
Oscar King again joined Tio at the Northamptonshire circuit, and steadily improved throughout the day, running in third on old tyres, but struggling to make the most of new rubber, and finished ninth.
The Cardiff-based team took to the 3.6 mile Arena Grand Prix circuit on Wednesday and once again Ellinas was on the pace from the start, but had his run on new tyres ruined by a red flag situation, dropping him to fourth. A wiring loom problem for King cut short his track time, and like his team-mate, he had his quick run on new tyres ruined by the red flag, winding up ninth fastest.
Atech Reid GP Team Principal David Hayle was happy with the performance of both drivers ahead of the season opener at Brands Hatch in just over two weeks:
"We've had a good two days at Silverstone and it's particularly good to see Tio still at the top of the times on Tuesday. In Wednesday's run both Tio and Oscar had their fast laps on new tyres ruined by a red flag situation, so it's not really a good indication of where they're at, but overall it was a very promising performance.
"Oscar has come on particularly well over the last two days, he's really upped his game and has shown a lot of promise, but a wiring loom problem on Wednesday afternoon also cost him a bit of track time."
Eighteen-year old Tio was also pleased with the session, adding: "We had a good two days and I'm very happy with the outcome. Tuesday was very good, the car was great, and I feel I'm improving every time in the car. Today was also good, but the red flag situation on my second lap on new tyres was a bit frustrating as I know I could have improved."
King was equally happy with his performance overall but admitted to not getting the best out of his new tyres: "I was very happy with how things went on old tyres, running third fastest, but for some reason I just wasn't able to get the best out of the new ones which is a bit disappointing. We had a problem with the car on Wednesday afternoon and then on my last run on new tyres, when I was hopeful of improving, the red flag came out and ended the run."
The team will continue it's pre-season test schedule with two days next week, at Oulton Park on Tuesday 22nd March and Rockingham two days later.
