Hywel’s drive of the season — F3 Racing with Hywel Lloyd

Hywel’s drive of the season

Young Welsh racing driver Hywel Lloyd produced one of the drives of the season to earn himself a fifth place in the Formula Three International Championship at legendary Spa.

Lloyd, the first Welshman to race at international level for over 20 years, was in the points in each of the weekend’s two races at the home of the Belgian Grand Prix.

And his drive in the first race was nothing short of sensational as he overcame some appalling luck to charge through the field.

The 24-year-old from Corwen had qualified in fourth, his best place all season after a much-improved performance from his CF Racing Dallara Mugen Honda car.

But at the start Max Chilton’s car in second place stalled and the accelerating Lloyd just failed to get round him, clipping his rear tyre.

Lloyd explained: “I just clipped him with my right front wheel and it tore a hole in the rim.

“It damaged his rear tyre as well and we both had to pit but luckily a few cars collided on the first corner and the safety car came out so we were able to put new tyres on.”

Lloyd rejoined in 21st place but with his new-found pace began to cut his way through the field: “We had to get past a few people but it’s a great circuit with some very fast sections.

“I was able to get slipstreaming and passing a few cars – it was a great feeling and what racing’s all about.”

Lloyd eventually came in ninth but with four invitation cars in front of him was awarded fifth place and eight Championship points.

That more than doubled his total for the season and ended a barren run of four races out of the points and there was more to come.

The second race of the weekend saw him struggle in qualifying and he started from 16th on the grid but again the car showed its paces to catapult him up the field.

“It was all quite confusing,” said Lloyd: “The race started in the dry but then it started raining and it all got very interesting because with only four laps left it wasn’t worth coming in to change and it became a matter of keeping the car on the road.

“I spun a couple of times but managed to keep it going and bring the car in in ninth place.”

That earned him another two points and has given the team a real lift ahead of the next races at Silverstone on Sunday, August 16.

He said: “To get points in both races at Spa, especially after the disappointment of the last couple of meetings, was brilliant for everyone.

“Now we’ve just got to keep pushing on with the car so that when we get to Silverstone we are still up there in contention.”

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