King learns the fine margins needed 
to be a success in FIA Formula Three

Eighth on the starting grid for race one and 12th for race two, the Stoneleigh-based driver produced a superbly consistent display in qualifying for Sunday’s third outing, holding top spot for much of the session.

Ultimately, he found himself pipped by a hair’s breadth by guesting team-mate Daniil Kyvat but the Russian had needed to bolt on a fresh set of rubber in order to do so.

“It was obviously disappointing to have it snatched away like that so close to the end and by just five hundredths of a second,” said King who took advantage of his elevated grid position to produce his best performance of the weekend in the third and final race.

A damp opening encounter had seen an error-strewn King slip from sixth to 11th, but a more composed effort in race two yielded ninth at the chequered flag.

The highlight, however, was reserved for Sunday as the 19-year-old battled it out with three of the championship’s leading contenders - Raffaello Marciello, Felix Rosenqvist and Félix Serrallés - as well as GP3 driver Kyvat.

He was eventually forced to settle for fifth after a bold overtaking move by Raffaello Marciello which King felt should have received sanctions.

“He went off the track to do it and I was amazed he wasn’t penalised for the move - that was extremely frustrating,” said King.

Nevertheless, by setting the fastest lap of the race, the Hugo Boss brand ambassador underlined his potential.

And as he turns his attentions towards the next outing on home turf at Brands Hatch later this month, he believes he will soon be able to turn his raw pace into race wins.

“We’ve known we’ve been capable of this kind of form all season, though, and there’s definitely more to come so I’m sure there will be further opportunities to fight for victory. in the upcoming races.”

n King will appear on BBC1 tomorrow during the build-up to the qualifying session for the Spanish Grand Prix.

The feature will highlight his recent visit to Chelsea Football Club’s ultra-impressive Academy as part of 
the MSA’s elite Team UK initiative.

Read the full story in next week’s Courier & Weekly News.