Gilbert stars in Hampshire (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Gilbert stars in Hampshire

4:53pm Wednesday 4th May 2011 in Motorsport

Richmond based racing star Mitchell Gilbert overcame a mechanical issue in qualifying to score an impressive fifth place finish from the back of the grid, in the latest round of the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Thruxton in Hampshire.

The Australian teenager went into the event in a confident and determined mood, after what had been a disappointing previous round at Donington Park. Pre-event testing at the high-speed circuit went well, although Mitch was not as close to the top of the time sheet as he would have liked. However, he felt confident that a good qualifying session would have him in contention for a possible podium result if he could get a good start in the two races.

A fuel injector problem during the first qualifying session for race one meant that he was unable to get onto the pace of the front-runners and was left right at the back of the field in twelfth place. The Fortec Motorsport team managed to cure the electrical problem before the start of the second session to give Mitch a fully working car. But, with a lack of track time he was only able to claim eighth on the grid for race two.

With everything to gain in the opening race Mitch made a good start and moved up one place on the first lap, before setting about picking off his slower rivals ahead and score more points. He made up two places on the second lap before picking off three more drivers in the middle part of the race. On the final lap he was able to take one more position to cross the line in a well-earned fifth place.

A delighted Mitchell was pleased with his result from the rear of the field, but also left wondering where he might have finished had he been able to start the race from further up the grid.

In the second race he made a clean start, but was unable to make up any places early in the race and had to bide his time. On lap five he made his first move to take seventh place and then repeated it to take sixth a tour later. It looked like he would have to settle for sixth place. However, on the penultimate lap he went for a move at the chicane and took fifth position, but was forced to cut part of the track in the process.

After the race Mitchell was handed a one-second penalty for gaining an unfair advantage and had to settle for sixth place. Although it was a slightly frustrating end to the weekend, he was pleased with his pace and performance over the course of the two races.

“I can't really complain about getting the penalty, I knew that it was close when I made the move and thought it might get looked at to be honest,” he said. “When I saw the video replay afterwards I saw I'd cut too much. I was having a great run though and I was pushing as hard as possible to gain as many places as I could. The car was good and I was able to make my moves stick in the early part of the races and it got quicker towards the end of each race, which is why I was able to go for the places in the closing laps.”

“It would have been great to start the first race from higher up the order as I think I could have gone with the guys at the front and perhaps challenged more. I really think a chance of a podium was possible. Both races were tough, but I'm really pleased with my performance over the course of the weekend. To come back from being last on the grid in the opening race has really boosted my confidence and I really can't wait to get back behind the wheel. It will be good to have the break but we've got an official test in the middle of it so we can keep working hard between now and Oulton,” he added.

Mitch will be back in action at the next rounds of the championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire at the beginning of June.