Formula Renault UK Champion entrant Manor Motorsport has finalised its driver line-up for the 2004 season, the team bidding to secure back-to-back titles following the success of reigning Formula Renault UK Champion Lewis Hamilton (Tewin, Welwyn) last year.
Scottish sensation Paul Di Resta (Bathgate, West Lothian), who won his first ever Formula Renault UK race at Oulton Park in Cheshire last season, has signed with the Sheffield-based team for his second year of competition in the UK’s number one single-seater category.
The 17-year old is to be joined at Manor by Irishman Patrick Hogan (Whitfield, Northants), 16-year old Josh Weber (Tiverton, Devon) and the McLaren International contracted Franky Cheng (Cottingham, Hull).
Hogan and Weber contested last November’s Formula Renault UK Winter Championship with Team DFR and Hill Speed Racing respectively, while Beijing-born 19-year old Cheng began his Formula Renault UK career with Hill Speed at Donington Park last July.
Speaking on his exciting driver line-up Manor Motorsport team manager Tony Shaw commented: “We’re very pleased to have all four drivers onboard and to retain the McLaren link through Franky has also been very important for us.
“Paul really came of age towards the end of last season and he did some testing with us in the UK and Spain during the winter where he impressed us with his pace. At Albacete he went as quick as Lewis (Hamilton) did with us there last year.
“Of all the drivers we kept an eye on during the Winter Championship and winter testing Josh and Paddy are the two I’d say have improved the most. Paddy has moved forward a lot and we’re really pleased with his attitude while Josh has been very consistent, which is what we look for in our drivers.”
Shaw added: “There will be a lot of expectation on Franky this year with the McLaren connection but we’re confident he’s already improved enough during testing to show some good performances this season.”
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