George Gamble enjoyed a hugely competitive single-seater debut during the opening two rounds of the Protyre Formula Renault BARC Winter Series with Michelin.
After only receiving the call-up to drive on the Tuesday prior to the meeting, the 16 year old faced a massive learning curve, particularly having sat out of racing since withdrawing from the Ginetta Junior Championship in April.
Despite being the only driver in the series with no previous single-seater race experience, the Epperstone teenager was able to qualify in the top thirteen for both races.
After a superb run to eighth in the opener, Gamble went one better in the live-televised second race, coping well in treacherous conditions to battle his way through to seventh.
“It was a real last-minute deal we put together and it’s so good to be back out racing”, said the 2011 Ginetta Junior Winter Series Champion. “Being one of the youngest out there, with no single-seater experience, was obviously a disadvantage and we had minimal track time before the weekend.
“Qualifying was also my first run on slick tyres in the Renault, I only had half an hour at Donington during the week in the dry so it was a big challenge. I was hoping for rain over the weekend as we had wet practice on Friday but to get the results we have, with no damage, was fantastic. It’s a really good start to the championship and each time I go out I just get quicker and quicker.”
