MARK Wakefield has warned it is too early to identify a favourite to win this year’s MINI Challenge UK title at the season’s halfway stage.

However after finishing third in both of Sunday’s races at Silverstone, the Weaverham driver is among the contenders for first prize.

“I’m made up,” said the 19-year-old.

“It’s a circuit that hasn’t been kind to me in the past, so if you had told me beforehand I’d be on the podium after both races then I wouldn’t have believed it.

“There are three or four of us in the reckoning, but there are too many points still at stake to call it just yet.”

He was fifth fastest in qualifying, and took fourth from former champion Charlie Butler-Henderson at Club in the opening race.

A similar move on Max Bladon at the same part of the circuit was rewarded with third spot.

Wakefield, as he has done previously this season, then defended immaculately for the remainder until James Turkington edged past him at the Loop on the penultimate lap.

However a sideways slide at Copse gifted the position back to the Northwich late on.

Wakefield said: “I make myself as difficult to pass as possible – I don’t mind it, and I know where to place the car on the road to make it seem as wide as possible.

“It takes a lot of concentration, but it doesn’t stress me out!”

Northwich Guardian:

Mark Wakefield in action during Sunday's second race at Silverstone

Sunday’s concluding sprint was halted early by a red flag after Ryan Dignan’s car refused to restart in a dangerous position.

Wakefield had slipped past Rob Smith for second, only for placings on the previous lap – when he ran third – to count for the result.

“It’s one of those things,” said the teenager.

“I was lapping faster than the cars in front, and fancied my chances of winning had the race gone full distance.”

He sits third in the drivers’ standings, one point adrift of Bladon in second.

Leader Brett Smith is 67 further ahead.