KEY POINTS:
New Zealand racing driver Earl Bamber enjoyed a competitive European debut at the Mugello round of the 2008 Italian Formula Master championship over the weekend.
The 18-year-old from Wanganui qualified third and finished both races in fourth position after running as high as second.
In the first race Bamber spent several laps dicing for second position before being squeezed wide and onto the grass on the final turn, losing a couple of seconds - and third place - in the process.
In the second he was running with the leading bunch in third place when his car's front wing assembly came loose and he was slowed by the resultant lack of downforce.
Having originally flown to Italy only to test with the ADM Motorsport team, Bamber said that being able to compete in the weekend's race meeting was a bonus.
Bamber will remain in Italy this week to try and negotiate a drive in this weekend's round of the European Formula Master championship at Imola and, if possible, the final round of that series at Monza next month.
If successful, there will be two New Zealand drivers on the grid, with this year's championship points chase currently being led by Chris van der Drift.
- NZPA
