Christo toasts first podium result

Hot British Motorsport prospect Riki Christodoulou justified his tag and growing hype by capturing his first top three finish in the 2007 ‘Formula Renault UK with Michelin’ championship on Sunday at the Rockingham Speedway. The 18 year old finished runner-up in the second of two sprints representing rounds three and four of the twenty race campaign.

Fortec driver ‘Christo’, a rookie to the single-seater series and competing in only his second meeting as part of the premier national competition – supporting the British Touring Car Championship – highlighting young British talent, was 3rd and 2nd fastest in two qualification sessions on Saturday.

The two races witnessed varying fortunes. He was pushed wide on the opening corner of the first outing and had to recover from hitting the grass to make time and take ninth position. “I was extremely disappointed with that race and I think it must have been one of the worst scenarios in my career so far,” he revealed. “It was annoying the way the chain of events rolled out and left me far adrift, but I put it behind me later on.”

A smoother start – by slotting straight into second place – and consistent drive in the next event delivered his first taste of champagne and maiden visit to the podium, in what was a clean sweep for the Fortec crew. “After that nightmare in race one it was amazing to get on the podium and see the whole team cheering on the pit wall,” the Sutton Coldfield resident commented. “I had enjoyed the track in pre-season tests and although I was making a few mistakes on some corners I still kept a decent speed. This is only my second race in the championship and I don’t feel that the podium result has come too early. It feels right, and I know I am capable of better against drivers that are far more experienced than me in this series.”

“There was a lot of attention afterwards and spraying the champagne was a lot of fun,” added the former British Junior Karting Champion and 2006 European Formula A Vice-Champion.

Christodoulou is now 5th in the standings with the next round set to take place at arguably the fastest circuit in the country, Thruxton, on 6th of May.

“We had two 45 minute test sessions at Thruxton during pre-season and I was second fastest and only half a tenth of a second behind the top guy,” said Christo. “It is important to be smooth there but it is an exciting place and now I am just full of confidence; I want the next race to come around as soon as possible!”

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