Up and coming Australian open wheel driver Thomas Randle has had a successful debut at the 4.4km Circuito De Jerez circuit in Spain.
The Norfolk based driver hit the Jerez circuit for the first time on Friday finishing up 7th in the timing in practice 2.
In the first 30 minute qualifying where everyone was on new rubber and light fuel loads, Thomas qualified 14th, one tenth off 11th place and only 0.001s off Roy Nissany, a four time winner in the category. In the first race Randle made a terrific start getting in front of GP3 regular Jack Aitken before losing the rear end and unfortunately parking the car in the gravel.
Sunday was another positive for Randle, again qualifying 14th but only one tenth behind championship leader Tom Dillman and closer again to the pole time. He managed to make a great start getting up to P13, ultimately where he would finish the race.
"It was an unbelievable weekend here at Jerez. First of all I would like to thank Comtec racing for giving me this opportunity once more. After never having been to the circuit and it only being my 3rd day in the car I was extremely happy with how our pace was on the new tyres in both the qualifying sessions. Unfortunately I made a small mistake in the first race but redeemed myself on the Sunday.
This weekend was all about continuing to learn about the car, the tyres, the circuit, heavy fuel loads in the race and testing my fitness during some of the longest races I’ve done in one of the most physical open wheeler cars in the world.
To come away from the weekend knowing that I have got the speed to challenge the field with the little experience I have against drivers with multiple years in the category is fantastic.