Ayrton Simmons took to the new resurfaced Silverstone GP circuit last weekend, still pushing for more British Formula 3 success.

During a recent test day, the Chris Dittmann Racing driver struggled somewhat to adapt to the new surface which was re-laid to improve drainage during wet races.

Having adjusted the car to hopefully suit the circuit along with minor driving changes, the team were reasonably optimistic for qualifying. Simmons qualified in P3 for race 1 and P2 for race 3 (race 2 being the reverse order of the race 1 result).

After a poor start to race 1, Simmons lost out whilst trying to fend off a charging Jonathan Hoggard and finished lap one in P7.

However, a mature and controlled comeback saw him climb to P4 which was helped when U.S.A. driver Neil Verhagen received a 10-second penalty for a jump start.

With a downpour prior to race 2, all teams were forced to use rain tyres. Simmons would be starting the reversed grid in P12 yet, another poor start saw him drop to P15 and the pressure was now on.

After a disappointing first lap due to insufficient tyre temperatures, Simmons knuckled down to give a stunning display, cutting through the field in only nine laps to finish in P4 with a fastest lap.

Race 3 saw Simmons start second on the grid and a lot of hard work was put in to get the start procedure improved as it needed to be right this time.

It went well, and Simmons exited turn one leading the race ahead of Kiern Jewiss. They remained locked together the entire race, but the Epping driver pushed hard and was never really challenged and also gained yet another fastest lap of the race.

That concluded the weekend and the icing on the cake was when he was also awarded the Sunoco Oil Driver of the Weekend trophy.

Simmons remains third in the championship, now just nine points behind fellow Brit Jonathon Hoggard with one more round at Donnington remaining.