Change of teams works wonders for Downham driver

Rising racing star Oliver Clarke, 15, rounded off a memorable season by competing at the Circuit of the Americas in a support race to the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

F4 driver Clarke, from Downham, took the track just a few hours before Lewis Hamilton endeavoured to clinch his fifth F1 title at Austin, Texas.

The teenager, who announced in early October a move from Benik to Velocity Racing Development, ended the season with a seventh-place finish in his second race after he was taken off track by another driver and recorded a DNF in his first outing.

The final round of the 2018 F4 USA championship saw Clarke walk the track at COTA on the Thursday and get his first look at the 5.51km circuit.

Clarke said: “I just had to take in that this is where I would drive on one of the biggest F1 race weekends of the year.

“To think Lewis Hamilton could possibly take his fifth World Championship and I would be on the track before him on the Sunday was a world away from being back home and at school in West Norfolk.

“I had to get my head down and concentrate on my drive in the second race. I was determined to make up for what happened on the Saturday.

“Starting 14th on the grid I raced my way forward to seventh saw the chequered flag and was delighted. It has been a massive step for me since leaving karting in spring this year.”

Clarke has raced F4 in Virginia, Mid-Ohio, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, New Jersey and Austin this season.

“It has been an interesting rookie season, learning so much and putting myself out there in another country at tracks I have never seen before until I arrive there in race week,” admitted the teenager.

“I’m so grateful to my school Iceni Academy for their support, my sponsors Ryan Motorsport Insurance, Fenland Windows and EHF Gym in Downham, along with my mum and dad.

“The season is finished now but I hope to be able to winter test and return next year.

"I have podiums in my sights for next season. I am looking for financial support so please get in touch if you want to partner with me."

For further information, please visit: www.oliverclarkeracing.com or his Facebook and Twitter pages.