ISR driver Sam Bird is relishing the prospect of competing in front of his home crowd this weekend in the seventh round of the Formula Renault 3.5 championship at Silverstone.
Bird, who sits 10 points behind series leader Robin Frijns, is aiming for his second win of the season as he looks to reel in the Dutchman’s slender advantage.
With Frijns currently leading the championship, many would be quick to identify the Fortec driver as Bird’s main rival this season.
Nevertheless the Briton, one of seven different winners this season, acknowledges there are many different contenders for the title in such a competitive series.
And the 25 year old is hoping that the backing of the British support can power him to glory this weekend.
“Robin is a good driver with a good car underneath him but I don’t really think about it in terms of reeling anyone in,” said the Mercedes F1 reserve driver.
“There are a few other guys that could yet become a factor in the second half of the season, so it would be a mistake to focus on any one guy.
“I just concentrate on my own car and my own performance in the knowledge that if I perform to my ability and I’ve got the car underneath me, I’ll be right up there come the end of the season.
“I really do relish racing around Silverstone.
“Firstly, it’s quite simply one of the greatest race tracks in the world.
“Secondly, to compete in front of your home crowd is very special indeed and we’ve all seen plenty of evidence of that this summer!”
Bird has been competitive regardless of the weather this season and with inclement weather potentially on the horizon at Silverstone, reading the conditions will be integral to his chances of victories.
He said: “The first challenge at Silverstone will be optimizing the car’s set-up.
“Secondly, the weather often plays a part there and might well do so again this weekend. We’ve been very quick in both dry and wet conditions, but if the weather switches unpredictably, then a degree of luck comes into play.
“The objective at this stage is to have a car that’s both reliable and capable of competing at the front. If we can meet that double objective then we’ll be in good shape for a strong weekend.”
