Round 2 of the 2024 British F4 Esports Championship saw Guild Academy’s Henry Moore move to the top of the standings after a disastrous event for his Guild Esports stablemates Remy Gilbert and Leo Brown at Zandvoort.
Scuderia Ferrari HP Esports Team’s Graham Carrol looked like he’d head into Round 3 as championship leader, only for a Race 2 incident to scupper his chances.
With Guild and Carroll eager to make amends at Snetterton, alongside the emerging threat of Matt Caruana, Moore would surely have his work cut out for him.
As it turned out, the young rookie had the measure of everyone.
Race 1
Moore showed his intentions early on during Round 3, securing pole position by just 0.045s from Mensah Racing Driven By Us’ Caruana, with Gilbert taking third less than half-a-tenth behind.
The top four positions remained static until the Bentley Straight on lap two, as Caruana drafted past Moore and into the lead. On lap eight, Moore launched an aggressive move on Caurauna to regain first, but this only lasted one lap as Caruana returned the favour.
The pair raced cleanly and mostly side-by-side for the next few corners, with Gilbert assisting his Guild stablemate with a bump-draft down the Bentley Straight. In the subsequent commotion, Carroll snatched third, while Caruana consolidated first.
On the final lap, Moore had to focus on the challenge from Carroll behind rather than the lead battle in front, with Caruana making sure of the win by weaving to deter any slipstreaming.
The top three remaining in that order to the chequered flag with Gilbert close behind in fourth.
Race 2
The reversed grid draw for Race 2 saw Ferrari Esports’ Gergo Baldi start from pole position, with Caruana lining up sixth.
It didn’t take long for one of the frontrunners to hit trouble, as Gilbert misjudged his braking into Agostini and collected the rear of FreeM UK by Altitude eSports’ Will Chadwick. Unbelievably, Chadwick was able to continue in second position with Carroll and Moore hot on his heels.
Carroll attempted an outside move on Chadwick at Agostini but was shoulder-barged wide, dropping a position to Caruana in the process. The Scot regained the position on the next tour, which would soon prove crucial.
Up front, Moore and Baldi made contact heading towards the Bombhole, with Chadwick slotting down the inside of the Hungarian. Unfortunately, Baldi tried to hang it around the outside and tagged the rear-left of Chadwick who spun into retirement.
Carroll capitalised on the duo’s misfortune to jump into second position, with Baldi failing to hold off Caruana after some close-quarters fighting near pitwall. Playing the team game, Baldi held his opponent off long enough to allow team-mate Carroll to ease out of slipstreaming range.
With matters seemingly decided up front, the focus fell on Guild Esports’ Leo Brown, who had spectacularly gained 16 positions and was now in the fight for fourth. With two laps to go, Brown passed Baldi at Brundle, capping a remarkable comeback drive after a disappointing Race 1.
Heading onto the final lap, Carroll was tantalisingly close to the back of Moore but the young Englishman didn’t give his more experienced rival a look-in, topping off a commensurate performance. Caruana came home a distant third, cementing his third position in the championship.
The result sees Moore increase his championship lead to Carroll by 12 points, with the rookie now holding a 24-point buffer heading into the fourth round of the championship at Oulton Park on the 23rd of October.
Written by Ross McGregor for Traxion.GG
Images provided by Rhys Caryl
