UK 2000: Bratt Brands Hatch test 2006-03-15

TOP FIVE PERFORMANCE VERIFIES BRATT'S GENUINE PACE

Will Bratt announced his arrival as a genuine Formula Renault UK front-runner today during the opening day of official pre-season championship testing at a dry Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent.

Preparing for his second full season of single-seater action, the Adderbury-based star scorched to the fifth fastest time during the three and a half hour morning session with a tremendous lap of 44.520 seconds (99.15mph) -- just three 10ths of a second shy of the quickest time.

Equally as pleasing for 17-year-old Will and his Scorpio Motorsport team was the fact he completed less than 50 laps during the first of the day's two sessions, around 30 laps less than almost all of his front-running competitors.

In the afternoon he achieved a best lap of 44.875 seconds (98.36mph) and while on combined times Will did slip to 10th overall, he didn't have the opportunity to use fresh tyres during session two so the teenage ace is rightfully optimistic about tomorrow's second day of testing at the 1.2-mile Kent track.

His overall performance today certainly bodes well for the opening two rounds of the season which will take place at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit on 8th/9th April, and Will can't wait to return to action tomorrow morning.

"I'm very happy we were so quick today, especially during the morning, and I know the pace we showed is where we can genuinely expect to be this season", commented Will.

"This morning was the first time we've used new tyres during official testing this year and that reflected in the fifth fastest time. I'm confident I can be a genuine top six runner this year but the aim is to push our way into the top three.

"We unfortunately bent a push-rod at the end of the morning and then in the afternoon we made a few changes but before we were able to go for a quick lap at the end of the session, one of the other drivers went off the circuit. That prevented us from setting a time on a fresh set of tyres but we're hopeful of a very strong day tomorrow."

Will is back in action at Brands Hatch Indy Circuit from 09.00 tomorrow, Thursday, 16th March, for day two of official testing at the world-famous Kent track.

-mom-