Atech Reid GP's Tio Ellinas Secured Third In The Drivers Championship - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Atech Reid GP have concluded their maiden season in the CERTINA Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship with lead driver Tio Ellinas third in the championship standings, after a frustrating Silverstone weekend saw him narrowly miss out on the runner up spot.
Ellinas qualified sixth for both the races and headed into them still in with a shout of the championship title. The Cypriot ace battled to a fourth place finish in both the races, which wasn't enough to keep second in the points. Dropping forty points due to the series 'drop score' ruling, the ever consistent Ellinas ended up level on points with Oliver Rowland, who took the place on results countback.
Ellinas, who ended the year with fifteen podium finishes in twenty races, said: “The pressure was unbelievable going into the last race. I fought so hard all year for the championship and fought until the very last lap but I had to drop 40 points compared to Lynn who only had to drop 27 and Roland who only didn't have to drop any because of a DNF, so I was punished in a way for being consistent which to me is very frustrating. It is unfortunate to have slipped to third in the last race of the season but in the same instance it is good for the team and myself to have held onto a top three spot.”
Team-mate Dan Wells headed into the meeting in confident mood after a strong run of form, but was disappointed after qualifying only eleventh for the two races. The Salisbury-based racer fought through to take ninth and seventh place finishes, ending his year tenth in the points.
Wells commented: “To secure ninth and seventh place in race one and two and finishing the year in tenth in points is positive. This weekend the goal after qualifying was to go forwards. My first race was not so great, moving up only one spot but the second was far more exciting for me holding onto seventh place. It is a good way to end the championship year.”
Silverstone saw the return of Oscar King to the championship, but he was to not have the positive weekend he wanted, taking tenth in race one, before finishing eleventh in race two after a drive through penalty for exceeding the track limits.
Reflecting on the season, Team Principal Anthony Reid added: “This year is our first year competing under the Atech Reid GP banner in the Formula Renault 2.0 UK season. We have had an incredible year and have learnt a lot and I would like to personally thank all our drivers, team staff and sponsors for such a great year. Next on the cards for us is the 2011 Protyre Formula Renault Finals Series, which will see some new faces with drivers being announced in the coming weeks. The future is looking bright for Atech Reid GP.”
