Jack Clarke continued his positive progression in Portugal last weekend (3/4 July) at the super-fast Portimao circuit in the Algarve, Portugal. The young racer from Effingham in Surrey qualified third for the first race of the weekend and maintained his position in the race to take his first podium of his Formula 2 career giving himself a well deserved fillip.

“It is a real relief to get up on the podium after some of my bad luck this year so far,” said Clarke. “I have been quick here throughout testing and was sure to be able to make a mark but in this game you can depend on nothing. It is a great feeling to be on the podium especially as my sponsors, KSS Design, are all out here. My eye is now firmly set on the top step.”

The weekend finished on a disappointing note however when Jack was overtaking Kelvin Snoeks for fifth place in the second race and the Dutch driver simply drove him off the road. He claims not to have seen the blue and gold car of Clarke. In return he was to be given a suspended five place penalty at a future race but this is little compensation to Jack who was forced to watch the race from the pits.

“I had a problematic second qualifying session and set my quickest time with boosts too early so it was my fault that I found myself battling to get through the field from seventh on the grid. But I had a storming start and by the second corner was overtaking Snoeks for fifth and chasing another podium. He just kept turning into me and gave me no space at all. That was that. The stewards blamed him but that doesn’t really help me! I must concentrate on the positives – of which there are many from this weekend - and look forward to racing at home at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.”

The 2010 FIA Formula Two Championship lands in the UK for the second time at Jack’s home circuit of Brands Hatch in two weeks time – 16/17/18 July.