Bratt
chases Brands podium after qualifying success
Apotex Scorpio Motorsport driver Will Bratt has set his
sights on climbing the Formula Renault UK podium at Brands
Hatch Indy Circuit tomorrow having qualified in third
position for the second of this weekend’s two races
at the 1.2-mile Kent venue.
The 18-year-old University of Oxford student posted a
superb lap of 44.591 seconds (96.77mph) during this afternoon’s
round two qualifying session to claim a second-row start,
Will’s best time just 0.173 seconds shy of a potential
pole position.
For much of the session the Adderbury ace held second
place on the timing screens but a late improvement for
fellow championship contender Riki Christodoulou saw Will
miss out on a front-row grid slot by just four 100ths
of a second.
During the day’s opening qualifying session, to
determine the grid for round one, Will wasn’t quite
able to push his car as hard as he wanted to through Surtees,
under-steer forcing him to settle for seventh place with
a time of 44.590 seconds (96.77mph).
With overtaking at a premium on the tight and twisty Indy
configuration, Will knows he has his work cut-out to achieve
a podium result during round one. Starting in third place
for the second encounter, however, gives the Apotex UK-backed
star the belief he will be able to challenge for a possible
race victory.
“Qualifying didn’t start as we had hoped and
I am disappointed with seventh place on the grid but third
for the second race is much better, we have a great opportunity
to fight for at least one podium”, commented Will.
“Overtaking is very difficult at Brands Hatch but
if we can make a good start we stand a good chance of
scoring some healthy points. I want to challenge for a
win in the second race and it’s certainly not an
impossible task starting from third place.”
Round one of the 2007 Formula Renault UK Championship
will take place at 12.10 tomorrow, Sunday, 1st April,
with round two scheduled to follow at 17.30. Both races
will be shown live by digital satellite and cable subscription
broadcaster Setanta Sports 2 – please check listings
for further details.