Ryan Lewis continued to impress with his first F3 test with Manor Motorsport this week, the 19 year-old Formula Palmer Audi Champion posting a time just 6/10ths off that set by current pace-setter Lewis Hamilton. Following his first ever test, with Team SYR last month, Ryan had opted to test again before making a decision about his 2004 plans.

Manor Motorsport boss John Booth was quick to praise the youngster. “Fantastic,” was his first comment. “He did a fantastic job, particularly as he was suffering with a very bad cold and he could hardly breath on the first day. One of the things that impressed me the most, like the last time we saw him, in the Formula Renault test, is that he's always so calm, he takes things very easy, and it all came together. I'd like to run him again and hopefully we can get together soon and organise something.”

Ryan himself was more than happy with his first run with the championship front-runners. “I'm really happy with how things went,” said Ryan. “I felt I really got to grips with the car. From the first session out everything clicked. The car felt right, I felt right, much more confident than the last time and I was able to gradually build on that and concentrate on improving my times. I'm very pleased to be on the pace so quickly and am very keen to get back out there.”

Although Ryan has yet to confirm his racing plans for next season, his results on his first test with a championship contending team on Tuesday and Wednesday indicate that F3 would be the obvious step up for 2004.

“Nothing is finalised yet, I am still considering my options for next season, but the British Formula 3 Championship looks like being the way forward for 2004.

ENDS

Editors note: Copyright free pictures of Ryan are available at the website below and requests for interview should be directed to Cathy Metcalfe at the details below.

Ref: ml00045
10 October 2003

For media information: Cathy Metcalfe, MPR Associates, Tel: +44 (0) 1327 352199,
Fax: +44 (0) 1327 352908, Mob: +44 (0) 7802 332398, E-mail: cathy.metcalfe@btinternet.com

Website: www.ryanlewisracing.co.uk