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[Formula Renault, UK] Russell’s Hopes Take A Knock In Scotland |
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Saturday, 17 June 2006 |
RUSSELL’S HOPES TAKE A KNOCK IN SCOTLAND
Harlesden’s Matt Russell will start both of tomorrow’s Formula Renault UK races at Knockhill further down the grid than expected following a troublesome pair of qualifying sessions at the Scottish venue this afternoon.
While the 22-year-old Russell Racing driver ended the day disappointed with 12th row grid starts for both the seventh and eighth rounds of the season, he is confident the races themselves will see a more fruitful outcome.
Qualifying has been the undoing of the team during its maiden season in Formula Renault UK so far as, during the races themselves, Matt has shown excellent racecraft and passing ability in a championship notorious for minimal overtaking opportunities.
In the last meeting at Thruxton, for instance, Matt made up a full seven places during the sixth round of the season to achieve some well-deserved points so the Doncaster-based team will now be hoping for more of the same tomorrow.
“In testing on Friday we could see I was losing a lot of time in the braking areas and especially so into the hairpin but, unfortunately, that was still the case during the first of today’s sessions”, explained Matt.
“We were confident the second qualifying period would be better but it didn’t turn out as expected so we certainly have a lot of work to do to take some championship points from tomorrow’s races.
“The car feels good in general so I just have to focus on making the kind of start of I have been during the last few races and try to make up several positions on the opening lap. It will be difficult but we’ll certainly be giving it our all and with rain more than likely for both races, anything could happen.”
Round seven of the 2006 Formula Renault UK Championship will commence at 12.00 tomorrow, Sunday, 18th June, with round eight expected to begin at 15.45. For the first time this season, there will unfortunately be no TV coverage.
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