Jake Dennis Is One Of The Formula Renault UK Drivers Left Re-Assessing His Options After The Series' Cancellation - Photo Credit: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Some of the leading teams and drivers from the Formula Renault 2.0 UK Championship have spoken out about the axing of the championship for the upcoming season.
The decision was made earlier this week to cancel the 2012 running of the single-seater championship just two weeks before it was meant to start after only six entries were received.
One of the drivers who had confirmed his participation in the series was reigning Intersteps champion Jake Dennis. The teenager made his Formula Renault UK debut during November's Finals Series and was looking forward to his maiden full UK campaign, but is now left contemplating a switch to Europe.
Dennis told TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk: “It was a bit of a shock to me at first when I first found out and it's a shame really. I am disappointed in a way but then there was only 6 cars doing it. We've had to make some quick adjustments to what other championships there will be for me to compete in. It would be nice to see the Formula Renault UK championship up and running next year. However, it's not the only championship struggling for cars on the grid, as you can see that in the British F3 testing there has only been 12 or so cars.”
Reigning champions Fortec Motorsport had entered four cars into the series, with Dennis set to be joined by Josh Hill, Shahaan Engineer and Dan de Zille. Team Principal Richard Dutton says the team were disappointed by the news, especially considering all the testing the team had done over the winter break.
Dutton said: “It’s a great disappointment that the Championship has been cancelled for 2012, particularly at such late notice after all the work that we’ve put in over the winter period so it’s a real shame for us as a team and for our drivers who have worked so hard.”
One of the drivers who was still looking to join the 2012 grid was Finals Series runner-up Dan Wells. After spending the winter trying to raise the budget required for FRUK, Wells is now left assessing other options for the year.
Wells commented: “I was disappointed, although not surprised, to hear of Formula Renault UK’s cancellation this year. I was struggling to raise the budget to get on the grid and was unable to confirm my participation in the championship – and this task was made even harder once testing began and only 5/6 cars were participating. Obviously my aim was to be Formula Renault UK Champion in 2012 but it now looks like no one is going to achieve this goal unfortunately. It is tough to raise a budget in the UK at the moment but I hope to be able to announce a program soon.”
