Ethan Lennon and Joseph Smith took a win apiece in an enthralling days action at Donington Park.
On what was an action-packed Sunday at the Leicestershire venue, the UK’s premier single-seater series brought the curtain down on its first event of the new campaign with Lennon charging to victory in the reverse grid contest, before Joseph Smith inherited a win after post-race judicial of a frenetic feature race contest.
Race two – the partially reversed grid contest – saw Lennon open his account for the season as he delivered a measured drive amongst what were truncated circumstances; with a red flag and two safety car periods limiting running.
The race ultimately boiled down to a five-minute dash to the flag and all eyes were on Lennon at the front of the field as he withstood pressure from the likes of Scott Kin Lindbolm (Hitech), Lewis Wherrell (JHR Developments) and Van Langendonck.
Having sized Lennon up during the final restart, Red Bull Junior Kin Lindblom made multiple attempts to overtake the South African driver however in doing so, it allowed lead rookie entrant Wherrell to muscle his way past with a lap or so to go.
By the time Wherrell had moved into second, Lennon had pulled clear and he cruised to a maiden championship win while Wherrell and Kin Lindblom completed the podium, narrowly ahead of the charging Van Langendonck as he soared from 12th on the grid to finish fourth.
Theo Palmer (Hitech) enjoyed a strong showing to net fifth and the Lotus Fastest Lap Award, whilst Ethan Carney (Fortec Motorsports), Cole Hewetson (Xcel Motorsport), Jarrett Clark (Virtuosi Racing), Ethan Jeff-Hall (Argenti Motorsport) and George Proudford-Nalder (Virtuosi Racing) completed the top ten.
The weekend’s third and final contest saw McLaren Development Driver Van Langendonck starting on pole position. The Belgian teenager maintained his position as the lights went out while further behind, several cars came together as the field jostled for position as they streamed down the Craner Curves.
Following a brief safety car appearance, the race resumed with Van Langendonck at the head of the pack however he couldn’t rest on his laurels as Palmer soon began to loom large in his mirrors.
The pivotal moment came just a few laps from home when Palmer drew alongside Van Langendonck at Redgate. The pair knocked wheels and it resulted in Palmer spinning into the gravel trap and out of race.
Proceedings were once again neutralised and, on the restart, Joseph Smith (Virtuosi Racing) emerged as the driver to watch as he moved up to second and then chased down the leader. He would eventually finish just a couple of tenths off the double overall and rookie winner.
Completing the podium was Mercedes F1 Junior Jeff-Hall, after he too enjoyed a number of standout battles, with Kin Lindblom and F1 Academy star Ella Lloyd (Rodin Motorsport) rounding out the top five.
Lennon and his Rodin Motorsport team-mate Alfie Slater were next up, ahead of Jaber Alsabah (Xcel Motorsport), Hewetson and Adam Al Azhari (Hitech). Despite his non-finish, Palmer snared the Lotus Fastest Lap for a second race on the bounce.
Following post-race judicial, the result from race 3 was amended to Smith (Virtuosi Racing), Jeff-Hall (Argenti Motorsport) and Kin Lindblom (Hitech).
Leaving Donington Park, Van Langendonck heads both the Drivers’ and Rookie Cup standings, whilst Rodin Motorsport have earned the early bragging rights in the Teams’ Cup.
The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA continues its 2026 campaign in less than three weeks’ time, with Brands Hatch in Kent providing the setting for Rounds 4, 5 & 6 on the 9-10 May.