BFREN: Brands Hatch II: Patrick Long race summary

Patrick Long back on track: scores solid 5th at Brands Hatch

HARROLD, Bedfordshire, UK. After a tumultuous few weeks that included disappointing on-track results and a switch to a new team (Fortec Motorsport), American Patrick Long returned to the upper echelon of British Formula Renault, qualifying an impressive 3rd and finishing a solid 5th at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit last weekend.

Despite no testing in the new Fortec car at Brands Hatch, Long led all qualifiers for the first half of the session, before teammates Danny Watts (GBR) and Jamie Green (GBR) narrowly pushed Long back to 3rd place on the grid.

At the start of the race, Long dropped one place on the run into the first turn, then ran a close 4th until an accident brought out the safety car for several laps. On the restart, Long aggressively attempted to retake 3rd place -- Alex Lloyd (GBR)-- into the Paddock Turn, but was squeezed wide, allowing Lloyd and Ryan Sharp (GBR) to slip past. Long pressured Sharp from 5th position, but couldn't find away past on the tight Indy Circuit.

"It felt really great to be back up front," Long said. "I was pleased to lead most of the qualifying session before my teammates pipped me, but having Fortec driver's go 1-2-3 on the grid was quite impressive. I was disappointed losing third at the start, then getting pushed wide and losing fourth on the restart. It's very difficult to overtake at Brands Hatch in a Renault car, with the aero package and the twisty circuit. Next race, I'm looking forward to being on the podium."

Despite the rocky start to the British Formula Renault season, Long is still 10th in championship points, with two Top Five finishes and scoring points in five of the six rounds.

Result: Round 6, Formula Renault UK Championship, Brands Hatch Indy

Distance: 28 laps Weather/Track: Cloudy/dry <pre> Pos/Driver (NAT) Entrant 1. Danny Watts (GBR) Fortec Motorsport 2. Jamie Green (GBR) Fortec Motorsport 3. Alex Lloyd (GBR) Motaworld Racing 4. Ryan Sharp (GBR) John Village Automotive 5. Patrick Long (USA) Fortec Motorsport

Championship Title Chase 1. Danny Watts 2. Mark McLoughlin 3. Ryan Sharp 4. Lewis Hamilton 5. Will Davison 10. Patrick Long

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