Race 1: Qualified 3rd, Finished 3rd
Race 2: Qualified 3rd, Finished 4th

Duncan has held onto his Formula Renault UK Championship lead but his margin is down to just two points ahead of Fortec Motorsport team-mate Dean Smith.

His expectations were high and the podium for third place and fourth place weren’t enough for him. Despite still being top of the table he’d hoped to increase his lead and so was disappointed despite having shown great pace, setting the fastest lap in Race One, in what is one of the UK’s toughest series to win.

Qualifying was the start of Duncan’s uphill battle. With one qualifying session setting grid places for both races, Duncan had to get in two ultra-fast laps to make it to the front. He wasn’t too far off but couldn’t get the better of Will Bratt and Dean Smith and started third in each race.

The first race was uneventful with the front three staying in their starting positions for the full race. Duncan couldn’t get close enough in the red-flagged shortened race to make a safe overtaking manoeuvre on his team-mate, so settled for third.

For Race Two Duncan didn’t have a good start and despite holding onto third in the first corner, he was unsettled and ran wide. Riki Christodoulou managed to get a run on him and pass, leaving Duncan in fourth without the opportunity to regain his position before the end of the race.

Although Dean scored more points, it wasn’t enough to take Duncan’s table position and as Championship leader he is to be the guest of the Renault Formula One team at their Silverstone test on 21st June.

Duncan said: “Overall it felt like an average weekend. I wasn’t happy with qualifying and that’s where I need to improve. I need to be starting from the lead rather than trying to get to the front each time. Rockingham suited my driving style and I did really well there – Croft wasn’t the same – I like the flowing circuits. We’re at Oulton Park next where I haven’t raced particularly well in the past, but I’m happy with how the testing’s been with Fortec so I’ve got a good basis for extending my championship lead. Before I get to race again myself, I’ll get an insight into the Renault F1 team which is an honour and something I’m really looking forward to.”

Duncan’s next event is at Oulton Park, Cheshire on 24th June.

•   Filed under: Formula Renault UK
•   Tagged as: Croft, Dean Smith, Fortec Motorsport, podium finishes