BRITISH F4 READIES ITSELF FOR SPELLBINDING BRANDS HATCH SEASON FINALE
Nine podium finishers. Six pole sitters, every driver in regular points-scoring form. Brands Hatch brings arguably the closest-ever F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost campaign to a close this weekend, with four drivers still in title contention.
After a blockbuster weekend at Silverstone, Carlin’s Zane Maloney and Double R’s Sebastian Alvarez arrive at the iconic 2.4-mile Kent circuit tied level on points at the top of the standings.
Their battle reached fever-pitch last time out, a dramatic collision in the ITV4-televised final race at Luffield putting both in the gravel and out on the spot.
Alvarez’s Double R team mate Louis Foster made no mistake amid the chaos, taking a hat-trick of podiums – including two victories – to launch himself back into contention, 30 points adrift.
JHR’s Josh Skelton rounds out the quartet of rising stars in contention for the crown, with Brands Hatch set to bring down the curtain on arguably the most competitive season in British F4’s five-year history.
Skelton’s record-breaking run of nine straight podium finishes came to an end in the final race last time out, but make no mistake – any error from the trio ahead could see the Cumbria-based racer capitalise to claw back the 59.5 point deficit.
All four will need to be wary, however, with a whole host of tomorrow’s motorsport stars waiting in the wings ready to throw a spanner in the works.
Arden Motorsport’s Bart Horsten leads the way in a thrilling battle for fifth overall, with just 20 points covering the Australian, JHR’s Carter Williams and Richardson Racing’s Luke Browning.
All three – plus Tommy Foster (Arden) – have enjoyed trips to the top step of the podium at some stage this campaign and will be aiming to round out the year on a high with a repeat triumph.
Likewise Roberto Faria (Fortec Motorsport) and Arden’s Alex Connor, the pair split by just 15.5 points in a close battle for the Vice-Champion honours in the Rookie Cup; Maloney has long since wrapped up that particular title.
Faria’s team mate Mariano Martinez showed good pace last time out and will be pushing for a maiden podium; the Mexican sits comfortably ahead of a thrilling battle for 13th through 16th in the standings, with just 12 points separating Double R’s Reema Juffali, JHR’s Alex Walker, the absent Chris Lulham (Fortec) and Arden’s Abbie Munro.
Every point has been hard-fought in Britain’s FIA-sanctioned Formula 4 series in 2019 and this weekend will be no different up and down the field.
Twenty-seven races down, three to go. Battle lines have been drawn, let the title decider begin!
