FIELDING AND FLORESCU SHARE SNETTERTON SATURDAY SPOILS
Fielding's (right) run of dominance continued in earnest as he won Race 1 on Saturday – Photo: Jakob Ebrey
Round 16
Sennan Fielding’s fine form at Snetterton this weekend continued in round 16 of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford; the JHR Developments star converting pole position to victory in style.
The race was far from short of drama. Caroline trying to make a move at the start, but unfortunately hitting the pit wall.
The safety car was called upon whilst Caroline’s stricken Pirtek Racing liveried Fortec was removed from the pit straight. Fielding wasted no time at the restart. The experienced driver left the field trailing in his wake as the safety car peeled into the pits.
However, Fielding’s breakaway was shortlived as the safety car almost immediately made another appearance following Fewtrell going off.
By the time the safety car returned to the pits once more there were only several laps remaining. Fielding was calm and composed out front however, keeping his Carlin pursuers Devlin DeFrancesco and James Pull at bay until the chequered flag.
Said the race winner: “It was a great restart. The second one was a little bit more difficult because the guys behind knew what I would likely do so I tried to mix it up a little bit. It was a fun race. It was good to get the first win of the weekend and we need to carry this on.
“I felt very comfortable out there. Credit to the team, they’ve made the car amazing so huge thanks to them. I think in the second half of the season we are really going to show what we can do and get our championship back on track.”
DeFrancesco and Pull’s podiums had added significance for Carlin as they secured its 800th podium since the team’s inception. A phenemonal achievement for a team that has been pivotal to careers of so many of motorsport’s leading lights, a number of whom having driven in British F4.
Round 17
Round 17 of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford at Snetterton was thrilling with action throughout the field. Whilst there was no shortage of overtaking in a rapidly evolving race, one thing remained constant; Petru Florescu powering away out front to claim his fifth win of the season and retake the lead in the standings.
An excellent start from the Romanian saw him run alongside pole sitter Rafael Martins into turn one, with Florescu boldly hanging on around the outside to take the lead. As has been the case on many occasions this year, once Florescu was out in front nobody could catch him.
Said Petru: “It was a really good comeback after the bad qualifying this morning. I feel really good about being back in the lead of the championship, but I need a good race tomorrow to stay in front.
“I didn’t really know how fast I could go around this track because in qualifying I missed my chance to push and this afternoon my fastest lap was quicker than the pole time. I’m also really happy for my team-mates with them being on the podium.
Florescu led home a Carlin 1-2-3 with James Pull and Devlin DeFrancesco completing the rest of the podium. However, the result was by no means a certainty for Carlin, their drivers taking full advantage as the drama unfolded during the race.
Alex Battipaglia
