Trio make their mark to get in the points in the opener

Eugene Denyssen in action for SWR at Snetteron

Australian driver Maxwell emerged from the event as the highest placed SWR competitor in the championship standings, departing Norfolk with equal seventh in the title race after securing a best result of seventh position in round two on Monday.

Chipping Norton team-mate Jan Jonck matched that result in Sunday’s rain-hit first race on Sunday while South Africa’s Eugene Denyssen also took his best of 14th place in the curtain-raiser. Jonck concluded the weekend 11th in the standings with Denyssen in 16th position.

Team boss Sean Walkinshaw said: “We’re pretty happy with how the first weekend has gone. Tom, Jan and Eugene are all on a big learning curve for their first season at this level, but they did a great job – especially with each of them finishing all three races.

“The racing this weekend was fantastic, a real credit to the championship and the new car, and we’re certainly pleased with the start we made. It’s a good foundation to build on for the next round at Brands Hatch, everyone is really looking forward to that.”

Known previously as the BRDC Formula 4 Championship, the category’s place on the single-seater ladder has been hugely enhanced with its newly confirmed status as British F3, a move largely influenced by the increased power and performance of the new Tatuus-Cosworth car.

In the opener Jonck and Maxwell profited from dramas for a couple of rivals but the Dane also managed to get ahead of the Australian in the process. Jonck eventually took the chequered flag in seventh place, Maxwell ended the contest in 11th spot while Denyssen ended his maiden British F3 contest in 14th.

In the second round Jonck maintained second place off the start but had to settle for tenth spot after a very tight four car battle. Maxwell was the lead SWR finisher in seventh place while Denyssen was 17th.

In round three Maxwell was the highest placed SWR driver in fifth on the grid, only slipping to ninth on the final tour. Jonck, starting on row six in 11th place, lost power and finished 20th place after getting going again while Denyssen came 15th.