Formula Palmer Audi Championship leader Ryan Lewis swapped Audi power for Renault when he contested two rounds of the Formula Renault Championship at Brands Hatch at the weekend. The 19-year old from Royston stepped into the Manor Motorsport seat vacated by Fabian Coulthard, who has left the series to contest the Australian V8 Supercars series.

“It was a great opportunity to drive in another series,” said Ryan. “I was asked by the Manor Motorsport team to step in and it was fantastic to drive for the series' leading team. It was a completely different experience to driving a Formula Palmer Audi, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

“The deal was all put together quite late in the day and I didn't get the chance to even drive the car before the official test on Saturday when we had three half hour sessions. I ended up 11^th in that which wasn't bad and in Sunday's qualifying sessions dropped to 18^th and 20^th for the two races.”

Monday's first race started well for the youngster, passing several cars in the opening laps, and getting up to fifteenth until he was punted off the circuit at Clearways five laps from home. The day's second race also saw him making good progress through the field crossing the line 15^th from 31 starters.

“The car is very different to what I'm used to, more mechanical and not as much power, and which also requires a different driving style. You need to have loads of speed going into the corners, then ease off, then nail it on the exit, although it is actually not far off what I expected.”

The series, which features 31 identical cars, is one of the closest one-make formulae, with the top 20 separated by just a second making overtaking particularly difficult. Despite this Ryan acquitted himself well and would certainly have anther go, should the opportunity arise.

“I'm really glad I did it, it was a great little car to drive and I'd gladly drive another one if I had the chance. I made a little mistake in the second race, which dropped me down the field, and the problem is they're all so close out there and one mistake can cost you dear.”

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