Fresh from his European Championship triumph, George Russell was obviously the man to beat. He topped the list in Qualifying ahead of Alex Gill, Darius Karbaley and Force India’s Jehan Daruvala. Karbaley followed Russell home in heat 1, with James Kellett taking 3rd spot ahead of Nathan Aston. Heat 2 produced another win for Russell with Gill just a couple of yards behind. Karbaley and Jamie Caroline made up the top four places.

Russell showed good tactical awareness half way through Final 1 when a sudden shower made circuit conditions unpredictable. He promptly moved over and allowed Gill to overtake him before regaining 1st place three laps later. Thereafter Gill remained in touch without seriously threatening Russell’s position. Karbaley followed some distance behind in 3rd spot while Daruvala finished a creditable 4th ahead of Martin Kodric and Odhran Henry whilst James Kellett and Caroline were amongst the non-finishers.

Russell remained virtually unchallenged next time out with Gill recovering from the shock of his starter motor battery exploding in a cloud of smoke but he continued to take 2nd place once again. Karbaley had lost 2nd place when he collided with Billy Monger at half distance. Darius recovered to eventually finish 7th but Jehan Daruvala was unable to escape the carnage unfolding ahead and retired with a badly damaged kart after holding 5th spot. Kellett and Caroline stormed through from the back to 3rd and 4th, albeit a good distance behind Gill with Caroline narrowly ahead of Jessica Hawkins, having her best result, and Charlie Barlow. Kodric continued to suffer, and had to be content with 8th.

This puts Russell into pole position on points ahead of Gill once dropped scores are taken into account, Kodric as an non-EU driver not being eligible under FIA rules.