Ewell’s David McDonald got his fifth top-six finish of the season in the 17th round of the Michelin Formula Renault UK Championship at Rockingham on Saturday.

Having lined up on the sixth row of the grid, McDonald picked his way through a chaotic opening lap at Deene Hairpin to gain five places.

Chasing down Euan Hankey ahead, McDonald closed to within one second at the finish and was, in turn, over three seconds clear of his nearest pursuer.

Underlining the competitiveness of the race, the Manor Competition star was just 1.9 seconds shy of the podium.

Sunnday was a disappointment for McDonald as a broken front-wing forced him to pit on lap seven.

However the 19-year-old still managed to take 18th place which leaves him 10th in the championship standings.