DEAN Stoneman drove a supremely intelligent race to secure second in his first-ever race in Monaco - the third round of the Renault World Series 3.5.

Racing at the famous street circuit in Monte Carlo, the Bishops Waltham-based Stoneman produced a flawless drive to gain valuable championship points and impress the on-looking Formula One glitterati.

Arriving in Monaco as a racer for the first time, the Red Bull driver was eager to build on his third place in the opening round a month ago in Motorland in Spain.

The 24-year old began on the third row of the grid in fifth, but it was the race itself which showed why Stoneman has been drafted into the Red Bull fold with DAMS.

Stoneman made the perfect start in the morning sun, managing to avoid a four-car tangle at the first corner at Sainte Devote and slot his car into second place.

His efforts were to gain first place were in vain. After four laps the race was red-flagged due to another larger collision at Saint Devote. The race was halted for twenty minutes whilst car and debris were removed from the track.

From the restart behind the safety car Stoneman was unable to get close enough to consider a move on the first place and instead chose to drive a mature and measured drive at a circuit known for its tight corners and savage barriers to secure a fantastic podium at the famous old circuit.

Stoneman was elated with the result. “This is an amazing place with an incredible history, to come here and get second in my first race is a real dream come true,” he said.

"I really just wanted to get the car in the points with the best possible start. I managed to avoid the incident at the first turn and from there it was just a matter of opening up a gap to third. I was never really close enough to make a move for the lead and to honest overtaking here is so tricky. I’m just delighted with how it all went.”

The DAMS driver also picked up the Rookie of the Day trophy for being the highest-placed driver racing in his first year in the series.

Stoneman will look to build of his Monaco podium when the Renault World Series moves to Spa this weekend.