Matt Davies, from Billericay, started his British F3 Championship challenge in fine style on Sunday driving his Renault Elf Promatecme F3 car to finish in an excellent fourth place at the Thruxton Circuit, in Hampshire.

A torrential downpour just before the start saw Davies having to change from slick to grooved tyres, but the Renault Elf Promatecme F3 Team decided to stick with a dry set-up for the car, feeling that the wet weather would pass and the track would dry out quickly.

This however was not the case as the rain continued until just before the chequered flag.

Renault Elf Promatecme Team Manager, Chris Weller, was encouraged by the season start: "Matt hasn't put a foot wrong all weekend. He was on pole for most of qualifying, and his drive today was awesome given the difficulties he faced.

''There's plenty more to come from the car and I've no doubt Matt will be challenging for the title."

Davies moved swiftly up into fourth place, overtaking his team-mate after the race, was restarted following a lap behind the safety car.

Dangerous driving by a backmarker however, almost forced Davies off the track and certainly cost him any chance of third place.

Davies commented on his fourth position: "It's points on the board and a good platform to build on. As the race wore on and the circuit began to dry out I was as quick as anyone out there."

"It's a good start, but we can improve. I'm really confident about both the team and the car and am looking forward to the next race."

The second round of the Green Flag British F3 Championship takes place at Croft Circuit, Yorkshire over the weekend of April 8 and 9.

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