Apotex Scorpio Motorsport racer Will Bratt maintained his rightful place among the Formula Renault UK Championship frontrunners during official pre-season testing at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit today, the 18-year-old continuing his superb recent form.

Having shown impressive top-four pace during the previous test at Snetterton last week, Adderbury-based Will posted a fastest time of 44.155 seconds (97.723mph) this afternoon to establish himself in the top five, a mere 10th of a second shy of the top two.

After spending the entire morning session lapping on old tyres as the team conducted a variety of set-up work on the car, Will utilised fresh rubber during the afternoon and immediately cemented his position as a true contender for title honours this year by topping the times.

Returning to older rubber for the last portion of the test in order to conserve his new tyres for next week’s final pre-season test at Oulton Park Island Circuit in Cheshire, Will couldn’t maintain first place on the timings but was still delighted with his day’s work.

“We managed a few new tyre laps during the earlier part of the afternoon and we were fastest for a while but then we returned to using old tyres until the end of the day as we wanted to save the newer rubber for next week’s test”, explained Will.

“Obviously, we knew we would slip down the times a little after going back to old tyres but to have still ended the test in the top five is very encouraging indeed. I’m happy with what we achieved today, the team is working well and we’re continuing to make very good progress.”

Just one official test session now remains ahead of the start of the 2007 Formula Renault UK Championship season and this will be held at Cheshire’s Oulton Park Island Circuit next Wednesday, 21st March.