Chris Dittmann Racing’s Joel Pearson has been named the Pirelli ‘Hardest Charger’ Award recipient for the most recent ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA meeting at Brands Hatch last weekend (13-15 May).
The 16-year-old’s overtaking prowess was clear for all to see in the rain-affected final race of the weekend at the 1.2-mile Kent circuit. Starting on the penultimate row of the grid in 14th, the Leeds-based racer stormed through the field in the tricky conditions, taking the chequered flag a remarkable sixth, which then became fourth after post-race penalties for two cars ahead.
That gain of ten places was made all the more impressive when one considers it was Pearson’s first laps in the wet in the new-for-2022 Tatuus T-421, having started his testing programme far later than much of the competition due to his recovery from a rare form of bone cancer.
Pearson wins a free set of Pirelli tyres for use in testing as a result as he continues to play ‘catch up’ in terms of mileage to the opposition, and will no doubt be aiming for a repeat performance around the high-speed Thruxton circuit, which hosts the next three rounds of the championship on 28-29 May.
“I’m delighted to win the Pirelli Hardest Charger Award for Brands Hatch. So much of the first two events for me has been about getting back to up to speed, learning the car, adjusting to single seaters and just building the confidence back up.
“Races like Sunday are certainly one way to build some momentum! It was my first time in the wet with the new car, but the team at Chris Dittmann Racing did a fantastic job, and I had the performance underneath me to not just keep it on the road, but also go on the attack and make some moves.
“I’m looking forward to building on everything I’ve learned next time out at Thruxton.”
Virtuosi Racing pairing Michael Shin and Edward Pearson finished second and third, having completed nine and eight passes respectively over the weekend.
