Max Chilton admitted he was slightly disappointed to miss out on a maiden pole position in the British F3 International Series after qualifying fourth and sixth on the grid at
Oulton Park.
The 16-year-old, heading into his second season in the series and first with championship winning team Hitech, was looking to try and build on a pre-season testing campaign that his seen him exceeding many peoples expectations to run near the front on a regular basis.
Chilton did hold pole position for a period during first qualifying before slipping back to fourth place after his quickest lap was spoiled by a slower National Class machine, while the same car also cost him valuable time in the second session – with yellow flags for a stricken car at Hislops also meaning he had to settle for sixth place.
“If you'd told me six months ago that I'd have been fourth and sixth on the grid, I'd have taken it,” he told
Crash.net. “But testing has gone so well that, to be honest with you, I'm a bit disappointed.
“Theoretically, I could have been on pole for both races but I got held up by a certain driver who acted as mobile chicane on my fastest laps in both sessions. However I'm still only 16-years-old so fourth and sixth is a good result.”
Having not yet raced at Oulton Park in F3, Chilton added that his aim for race day on Monday was to try and be the first British driver home in both races.
“I still haven't done a full season in F3 so knowing I have time on my side takes the pressure of a little bit,” he said, “but I still want to go for it.
“My main focus is to be top Brit on Monday although it will be hard in race one with Turvey having gone well. Hopefully I can get a good start and get away.”
