JEWISS ROMPS TO VICTORY AND INTO CHAMPIONSHIP LEAD

Kiern Jewiss and Double R Racing romped to victory in round 12 of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost at Oulton Park.

Jewiss was faultless from pole position and untouchable for the duration of the 15 lap contest, scampering off into the distance and winning by a margin of almost eight seconds. He also set the fastest lap on his penultimate tour of the circuit with a lap of 1m 24.191s.

It was the perfect end to the weekend for the 15-year-old who has looked the fastest driver on circuit throughout the weekend. His superb performance sees him leave the Cheshire circuit leading the championship by 16 points, with chief title rival Ayrton Simmons only able to finish eighth.

“I got off the line just like I wanted to,” said Jewiss. “It meant I could take the racing line into the first corner and then crack on with my race, leaving everyone else to battle behind.

“We knew we had the pace this weekend after free practice and we wanted to finish with fastest lap on the last lap of the final race, but we had to settle for doing it on the penultimate lap. We were having some fun out there.

“I want to say big thanks again to Double R, FM Conway, HCL Technologies and MB Partners, as well as everyone who has supported me this weekend: friends, family and fans.

“As soon as I pulled away well off the line I felt so happy and pleased to make amends for race one.

“It feels great to finally end a weekend leading the championship. It’s taken a little longer than we would have liked to get there, but hopefully we can stay on top until the very end now.”

Behind Jewiss, Patrik Pasma and Paavo Tonteri jockeyed for the remaining podium spots. Both drivers have put in strong performances this weekend. The two Finn’s seemingly inseparable on track for much of it and entertaining spectators as a result.

Pasma’s second place was his third podium of the season and second of the weekend. Meanwhile, third for Tonteri was a welcome appearance on the rostrum after he had already bagged two fourth place finishes in the space of 24 hours.

Third place also secured Tonteri the Rookie class win, with Dennis Hauger and Jack Doohan completing the rookie podium after the Red Bull Junior Team drivers put on a fantastic wheel-to-wheel display throughout the race.

“We’ve scored a lot of good points this weekend,” said Pasma. “We just need to keep working hard and try to get the win at the next race weekend.

“My start wasn’t the best which cost me some time off the line, but I managed to at least maintain my position.

“Kiern pulled a big gap at the beginning of the race, but I started to match him towards the end so that was encouraging.

“Then I had Tonteri attacking me which meant I had to defend and that gave Jewiss a chance to pull away even more.

“I’m really enjoying racing in British F4 and I’m sure my first win is just around the corner.”

Added Tonteri: “I’ve known Patrik for eight years. We’ve been team-mates in the past. We have a special rivalry and great respect for each other which allows us to have excellent races.

“I got a decent amount of points this weekend. I was targeting podiums so it’s nice to end the weekend with one.

“We didn’t really show all of the potential and pace we had which means I’m not completely happy. I want to win and will keep working hard towards that.

“Winning needs a bit of luck. We haven’t quite had that luck this season, but hopefully it’s on the way.

“All the points I have scored this weekend are definitely going to help me in the championship.”

In amongst the rookie runners was Hampus Ericsson who achieved his best result of the campaign so far in fourth for Fortec Motorsports. The Swede did brilliantly to keep Hauger at bay.

Ericsson’s team-mate Johnathan Hoggard looked to be on for an excellent result too. He pulled off one of the overtakes of the weekend by going around the outside of Doohan at Lodge Corner, only for his race to be thwarted by a technical problem.

Manuel Sulaiman’s upturn in form continued in the final race of the weekend. The JHR Developments driver bagged another haul of points in seventh, having made his way up the order from 10th.

Contact between Simmons and Hoggard, with Simmons running off the track on lap seven allowed the Mexican to sneak through into eighth ahead of his team-mate and fellow JHR Developments runner Josh Skelton.

Sebastian Alvarez (Double R Racing) picked up the final point, ahead of Lucca Allen (Fortec Motorsports).

Elsewhere, Jamie Sharp (Sharp Motorsport) and Sebastian Priaulx’s (Arden) torrid weekends continued, with both retiring from the race due to technical gremlins. The former having made up three places in the opening exchanges.