Ricciardo moves closer to British Formula Three Championship

West Australian Daniel Ricciardo has taken a firmer grip on the British Formula Three Championship after the weekend's two races at Silverstone, in which he finished first and third.

The talented 20-year-old from Perth, rated out best chance since Mark Webber of producing a Formula One star, has stretched his lead over Austrian Walter Grubmuller in the prestigious series to 45 points with just four races remaining.

The significance of his margin is that a win is worth 20 points, second place 15, third 12 and fourth 10.

It will take a disaster to cost Ricciardo the title in a series that is viewed as a stepping stone to F1.

The remaining races are at Portimao in Portugal on September 13 and at
Brands Hatch in Britain a week later.

Ricciardo is one of eight international youngsters in the Red Bull junior driver development program that carried Sebastian Vettel to grand prix. He drives a Volkswagen-engined Dallara for Carlin Motorsport.