Teenage Cumbrian driver Frank Bird failed to add to his points tally in round eight of the 2018 Formula Renault Eurocup Championship at the infamous Nürburgring track.

Indeed, it was a less than successful weekend all round for the Tech 1 Racing team driver who struggled in the Paul Bird Motorsport, Be Wiser Insurance, Hager, Loco Energy Drink and Frank Bird Poultry-backed car.

Bird, 18, originally from Penrith, didn’t enjoy the best of the collective tests or qualifying sessions to place himself further down the grid than expected and, as if to compound his wretched luck, he suffered a technical problem with the engine of his car early in the opening race.

More misfortune was to follow in race two when Bird fell foul of the rulebook and was penalised following a pit stop which saw him exit the pits too fast, resulting in a drive-through penalty to ruin his chances of salvaging a decent result.

“All in all, from qualifying through to the racing, it was a weekend to forget, really,” Bird said.

“I struggled for pace and just couldn’t seem to find the right car set up all weekend.

“Race one saw my engine blow up on the first lap and, in race two, I got a drive-through penalty for speeding in the pit lane.

“An unfortunate weekend but I’m looking forward to Hockenheim next week.

“Thanks, as ever, to the team for all their hard work, my dad [Paul] and our sponsors.”