Christo in dazzling Donington World Series double podium

Formula Renault UK with Michelin driver Riki Christodoulou enjoyed his best weekend yet in his debut single-seater racing season as he took a brace of runner-up positions in the penultimate meeting of the year and in front of a bumper crowd at Donington Park who had flocked to see the World Series racing extravaganza.

The nineteen year old Fortec Motorsport racer and former European karting vice-champion started from second place on the grid in his FR2.0 machine. He chased Duncan Tappy in the first outing and fought off his team-mate Dean Smith to secure second spot despite struggling with a lack of rear traction. In the second race – run later in the afternoon – he was able to challenge Tappy with more gusto and only lost the tow of his rival in the closing laps.

“Of course I’m really happy,” he enthused. “I had good starts in both races and really made the most of my opportunities.”

“In the first race I almost had the lead around the first corner but then settled into second,” he reflected. “I was struggling a bit with a lack of rear end grip because we were racing quite early in the morning and it was cool. I lost touch with Tappy in front, and towards the end I could feel Dean getting close but was able to take second which equalled my best finish yet.”

“The second race was even better it was later in the afternoon and the warmer temperatures were better for me,” Christo, who won a high-profile round of the German series earlier this year commented. “Again it was down to Tappy and I, and after the safety car came out this time I stuck to his rear wing for most of the race. I never really got in a position to pass as I would be quicker in one half of the track but he would be faster in another.

After two luckless meetings the Sutton Coldfield resident blazed back to form on the best possible ‘stage’ and now has risen to sixth in the championship standings and can still make the top five.

“There were apparently more than 80,000 people there and I had a lot of friends and family coming to watch,” he added. “Some Euro teams also turned up so it was good to give a decent showing. The double podium has helped my confidence and I’m looking forward to a strong end to the season now.”

Christo has two major race meetings left. He will travel to Magny-Cours in two weeks to contest the fifth round of the French Championship, while the tenth and last meeting of the UK series will take place at the Thruxton circuit where Riki gained second position at the first visit to the venue in May; only his fifth solo-seater race.

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