Cumbrian driver Frank Bird started his 2022 circuit racing season is style at the opening two rounds of the Asian Le Mans Series at the Dubai Autodrome.

The Penrith racer and his team secured fifth and eighth-placed finishes in the races in the United Arab Emirates.

Bird, 22, regarded it as a solid start to the ALMS and something to build on.

He said: “I’m very happy to make a solid start to the Asian Le Mans Series with a fifth and eighth place finish in the two races.

“Both races went to plan, really, apart from being unlucky in the second race with the timing of a full course yellow where we lost some time.

“But overall, I’m delighted with the weekend, and we showed great pace in both races.

“The weekend was always about learning the car and new team then to see where we are at for next weekend’s two races in Abu Dhabi.

“Thanks to the team, our sponsors, and my teammates for a doing a brilliant job and I’m looking forward to the next two races.”

Bird was contesting the pair of four-hour races driving a McLaren 720S in the GT class for the UK-based Garage 59 team, along with teammates Alexander West from Sweden and German driver Marvin Kirchhofer.

They were part of a 23-car field in the GT class and 36 cars in total.

The third and fourth rounds of the ALMS takes place this weekend at the YAS Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.