The ROKiT F4 British Championship always promises great racing, however Croft Circuit typically delivers on that promise! The circuit has something for everyone; 2.1 miles of high-speed, sweeping corners – including the famous Jim Clark Esses and the first corner at Clervaux – mixed in with technical sections, not least the Complex at the conclusion of the lap.
The drivers are eager to get back on the grid after five weeks without a British F4 race. They took a well-earned break after six events in ten weekends, so should be well rested and keen to make their mark in Yorkshire.
Historically, this circuit has suited four drivers in particular in the past – Linus Lundqvist, Dennis Hauger, Zane Maloney and McKenzy Cresswell were all double winners here – taking two of the three wins in one race weekend. So far this season, the only driver to achieve that feat is Rodin Carlin’s Louis Sharp who clinched the first two rounds of the season at Donington Park. The New Zealander then went on to take solid points finishes at the following rounds to retain the championship lead, only conceding the lead in the standings at Silverstone last time out. He is sure to be heading back from the summer break determined to regain the upper hand. Sharp holds an advantage, having raced very successfully at Croft Circuit in 2022, with all three finishes in the top-six, including a second place podium.
Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Will Macintyre is the driver who currently tops the standings. Consistency has been his weapon, scoring more podium finishes this year than any other driver, including one win to put him 28 points ahead of the rest. His seven podiums include five second-places, and at Silverstone he contributed to his team’s 1-2-3 finish.
In terms of winners, only Noah Lisle (Rodin Carlin) has claimed three victories this season. Lisle also has experience at Croft, his highlight being a fifth place in 2022 during his rookie year. Five drivers have claimed two wins apiece in this highly competitive 2023 season to date: Jimmy Piszcyk and Kanato Le from Hitech Pulse-Eight, Fortec Motorsport’s James Higgins and Louis Sharp and Dion Gowda from Rodin Carlin.
Rookie Josh Irfan (Rodin Carlin) became the 2023 British F4’s tenth different winner at Silverstone in June, and the fourth rookie to take an overall podium finish. CDR’s Gustav Jonsson leads the Rookie Cup, ahead of Hitech Pulse-Eight’s Gabriel Stilp.
Lando Norris had a phenomenal reception at the British Grand Prix three weeks ago, however it was just eight years ago that he too was competing in British F4 at Croft. In 2015, he stood on the podium in second place, next to race winner Ricky Collard. If you’d like to come and meet the budding Formula 1 stars at the beginning of their single-seater careers, head over to the autograph signing session outside the F4 Centre on Sunday. It is likely that there a number of drivers of the highly talented British F4 class of 2023 who could very well be emulating and following in Lando’s footsteps!
