Marrakech street circuit proved to be a happy hunting ground for Will Bratt when he took his first FIA Formula 2 Championship podium and a move up the driver standings into the series top four.

Putting the disappointment of an enforced lap one retirement in Saturday’s race behind him, the 22-year-old produced an assured performance around the 2.82-mile Moroccan circuit during the 17-lap encounter to take third place.

Lining up fourth on the grid for round four, Banbury-based Will made a good start and held position on the first lap before the race came under Safety Car conditions early on following a huge accident involving Ricardo Teixeria and Ivan Samarin.

Due to the nature of the tight street circuit, recovery of the stricken cars took until lap seven but at the re-start Bratt remained in fourth place. As he pressed on to challenge the top three though, he ran slightly wide at the back chicane allowing Kazim Vasiliauskas to get ahead.

Four laps later Bratt hit back to pass the Lithuanian for fourth and then, as he hunted down the top three again, he benefitted from the retirement of Johan Jokinen on lap 13 – the Danish driver making contact with the wall – to move into third place where he remained to the chequered flag.

Bratt said: "Today was good, I’m really pleased to be on the podium and we’ve definitely shown some good pace this weekend.

“I ran over a kerb at one of the chicanes early on which allowed Kazim (Vasiliauskas) to get by me but I was able to hit back a couple of laps later and then (Johan) Jokinen went into the wall so we moved into third.

“Our pace was as good as the top two guys, so I’m pleased about that, and it’s nice to bag some good championship points, especially after the disappointment of being taken out yesterday. We’ve had a good weekend as a whole, it’s a good track and although there were some crazy incidents I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Monza in Italy, the scene of Will’s Euroseries 3000 title victory last October, hosts the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2010 FIA Formula 2 Championship on May 22/23.