Hywel on a high ahead of Silverstone — F3 Racing with Hywel Lloyd

Hywel on a high ahead of Silverstone

Top Welsh international racing driver Hywel Lloyd goes to Silverstone this weekend on a high after his return to form at Spa in the British Formula Three Championship. 

The 24-year-old from Corwen still has time to make a significant mark this season with six races still to go.

He knows though that it’s vital to build on the progress he made, finishing in the points in each race on the legendary Belgian circuit including a best of season fifth place in the first.

And it could have been even better: “I had qualified fourth on the grid but at the start Max Chilton stalled in front of me and I clipped him as I tried to swerve round and damaged the tyre rim,” explained Lloyd.

That put him into the pits for a new tyre and he rejoined in last place but a sensational drive saw him vaulting up the field to finish fifth.

He kept up the pace in the second race, finishing ninth after another charge from 16th on the grid and he and his CF Racing team are hoping for more of the same this weekend.

But they know that achieving a good place on the grid is vital: “It’s always important to qualify well,” said Lloyd: “But we’re on the International circuit at Silverstone which only uses parts of the Grand Prix track.

“It’s a lot tighter and more twisting and there aren’t the passing opportunities that there were at Spa which has long sweeping curves and really fast straights.”

The improved performance at Spa was a real boost to the team after the disappointment of the two previous meetings which saw them go four races without a point.

“I think we’ve been on the right track all season,” said Lloyd: “But it is a very competitive series and we’re up against teams that have been at this level for a long time.

"The races before Spa were difficult for us but we haven’t changed a lot and hopefully we’ve found a sweet spot now and we can be up at the sharp end again.”

CF Racing Team Manager Harry Lloyd, Hywel’s father, said: “We know that if we can get the car right then Hywel has the ability to challenge.

“This is a development class and that’s what makes it so competitive – you can’t stand still, you have to keep working.

“We’ll be working on this car up until an hour before we load it on the trailer for Silverstone but it’s also about developing the team and developing the driver.

“He has to be able to cope with things that are not 100 per cent and work with his engineer to improve what he’s got.”

The CF Racing team head to Silverstone for testing on Friday followed by qualifying on Saturday with two races on Sunday.

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