Martin Molnár and Leo Robinson enjoyed a sensational Saturday at Thruxton Circuit as they mastered challenging weather conditions to claim a win apiece in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA.
On what proved to be an action-packed day around the fastest circuit in the country, Molnár (Virtuosi Racing) and Robinson (Hitech TGR) underlined their talents behind the wheel as they fought their way to the top step of the podium in races one and two respectively.
Track action around the 2.356-mile Hampshire venue began with Henry Joslyn (Fortec Motorsport) reigning supreme in qualifying, as he secured the C1RCUIT Watches Pole Position Award for topping the timesheets for the second time this season.
Blasting to the top of the times in the latter stages, Joslyn had enough pace in hand to clinch pole position for races one and three, while debutant Salim Hanna (Virtuosi Racing), Molnár, Fionn McLaughlin (Hitech TGR) and Ethan Jeff-Hall (Argenti Motorsport) completed the top five.
Sadly, Joslyn was unable to convert his front-row start into a long overdue win in race one as Molnár blasted from third to first on the opening lap; and from that point on he never looked back as a number of incidents played out behind him.
Jimmy Piszcyk (Rodin Motorsport) and Thomas Ingram Hill (Fortec Motorsport) found themselves in strife on lap one, before August Raber (Argenti Motorsport) lost a rear wheel at the chicane a few laps later and unfortunately collected Adam Al Azhari and Ella Lloyd (Rodin Motorsport) in the process.
That incident, along with rain beginning to fall, was enough to bring out the red flag and a ten-minute restart was declared.
When racing finally resumed, Molnár held firm out front ahead of fellow fast-starter Robinson, while Joslyn and McLaughlin scrapped for the final spot on the podium. The Red Bull Junior had found a way past at one stage, but post-race he was deemed to have gained an unfair advantage.
Unfortunately, the declining weather conditions saw a number of cars spin out of contention through the fast-sweeping curves of Goodwood, Village and Church which resulted in the safety car appearing once more. This time however, proceedings would not restart.
With the chequered flag being waved it guaranteed a first-ever win in the UK’s premier single-seater series for 2024 Rookie Cup champion Molnár ahead of Robinson and Joslyn whilst McLaughlin, Hanna and Theo Palmer (Xcel Motorsport) rounded out the top six. Rowan Campbell-Pilling (JHR Developments), debutant Ary Bansal (Fortec Motorsports), Tommy Harfield (Chris Dittmann Racing) and Xavier Avramides (Hitech TGR) – who had started at the back of the grid – filled out the remaining points-paying positions.
Heavy rainfall pushed back the start time for the day’s second race, but when the action did get underway, it was Chase Fernandez (Xcel Motorsport) that made the most of the clear road ahead to hold the lead early on.
Bearman was the first to take the fight to the Fernandez and managed to find a way past him just after mid-distance. Breaking clear to begin with, the Hitech TGR driver looked on course to clinch a maiden series win before Robinson started to become an ominous looming presence in his mirrors.
Making a bold move on his team-mate for the lead with just a few laps to go, Robinson assumed control out front and then started to break clear – ultimately taking the chequered flag by a little under two seconds ahead of Bearman, who finished a career-best second.
Completing the podium was the impressive Piszcyk with McLaughlin and Fernandez hot on his heels in fourth and fifth. Al Azhari tallied another top-six finish ahead of Hanna, who made it two Challenge Cup wins from two races on his debut.
Race one winner Molnár, Tommy Harfield (Chris Dittmann Racing) and Mercedes F1 Junior Jeff-Hall completed the top 10.
Race three of the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA at Thruxton is scheduled to take place at 1340hrs on Sunday, with the race forming part of ITV4’s free-to-air coverage. The race will also be livestreamed on the Championship’s YouTube channel outside of the UK.
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