In just his second Formula Renault 3.5 Series event, Cameron Twynham endured a tough weekend in Hungary, finishing eighteenth and seventeenth as the weather played a key role in the entire proceedings at the Hungaroring.
Twynham, still only eighteen years of age, admits to still learning the car and the series but feels the confidence in the 3.5 litre car is growing with every lap he races.
“The entire weekend was a baptism of fire,” admitted Twynham. “The weather made it increasingly difficult, and I’m still adapting to the characteristics of Michelin’s wet tyres after only using Dunlop’s version so far in my career.
“These cars are tricky to handle in the dry; they’re incredibly tough to drive with reduced traction. The car was tacking to the right down the straights due to the steering damage, so that didn’t make it any easier! Saying that, my confidence levels are continuously rising, especially after learning so much in Saturday’s race.”
Twynham gambled on making an early pit-stop in race two after an early safety car period but a couple of errors meant he lost valuable time, but once back on circuit, the Briton showed good speed and set about closing the gap to the drivers in front of him, and was one of the quickest drivers on track.
“Firstly, I have to hold my hands up about the pit-stop blunder,” said Twynham. “It’s only my second stop in the series, so inevitably I was going to slip-up at some point. When we rejoined, the pace was excellent; we were really pushing hard, it was like a qualifying run! To subsequently discover that my fastest lap was quicker than [Carlos] Sainz Jr was brilliant.”
Reflecting on the weekend in Hungary, Twynham felt the wet-weather running was extremely beneficial as he adapts to the Formula Renault 3.5 Series car after moving from the EuroFormula Open F3-style car just before the previous round at the Nurburgring. He was happy to have a team-mate in Hungary unlike in Germany, with the current FIA European Formula 3 Championship leader Esteban Ocon driving the number 28 car.
“Overall, it was a tricky weekend, although the wet weather running was incredibly useful,” insisted Twynham. “I always knew these first few races were always going to be about learning as much as possible.
“It was also an eye-opener to have Esteban alongside me. With a quick team-mate, it pushes you forward in every aspect. Judging by my progress between qualifying sessions, I think it was mission accomplished, although we need to keep pushing.
“I must also thank everyone at Comtec Racing for their efforts over the weekend. They worked incredibly hard during a very challenging few days. And once again I must also thank my ever-loyal sponsors and family for their constant support. It really makes a big difference.”
