The third ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA race of this Sunday’s Oulton Park meeting marks the 250th in the current era. In that time 142 drivers have competed across nine seasons with 68 race winners up to the racing this weekend, 17-18 June at Oulton Park.
2023’s racing is as competitive as ever– five different drivers have won the eight races held so far this year. Last time out, Jimmy Piszcyk and Will Macintyre were winners at Thruxton two weekends ago, with Noah Lisle claiming a second win of the year.
Louis Sharp took two podium finishes, leaving Thruxton circuit with a two-point championship lead over Will Macintyre. The championship leader will be looking forward to Oulton Park; the track having been the scene of his first British F4 win last season. Daniel Guinchard – also a 2022 race winner at Oulton Park – will be looking to build on his two podiums so far this year, to further establish his championship credentials.
Rookies are getting closer to taking overall wins too. Gabriel Stilp was on very fast form at Thruxton qualifying on the front row of the grid, while Gustav Jonsson made it to second place in only his tenth-ever race in a car.
Oulton Park is one of three circuits where British F4 drivers have completed the ‘triple’, winning all three races in one weekend. That task is harder with a full reverse-grid this year, however Sharp drove from 20th to first at Donington earlier in the season – so rule nothing out! Current ‘triple’ record holders for this track are former British F4 champions Zane Maloney and Luke Browning, both well on the ladder to F1.
The 250th race presents a great opportunity to look back at some British F4 successes. 2020 British F4 graduates are well represented in FIA Formula 3, with Browning competing with fellow 2020 graduates Zak O’Sullivan, Rafael Villagomez, Roberto Faria, and Christian Mansell. Ollie Gray from the class of 2022 has stepped up to that grid for 2023.
FIA Formula 2 has three alumni in its ranks: Maloney won the British F4 championship with Carlin and is back with the Rodin Carlin squad, as well as being an F1 Oracle Red Bull Racing reserve driver alongside Dennis Hauger who competes with MP Motorsport in F2. Jack Doohan is with Invicta Virtuosi Racing in F2 and a reserve driver for BWT F1 Alpine Team.
On the top rung of the ladder, British F4 is proud to have three graduates with FIA Formula One drives. McLaren F1’s Lando Norris, the first champion of the modern British F4 era in 2015, and Oscar Piastri (2017) both spent time in this paddock; in fact Norris’ Oulton Park lap record stood until just last year when 2022 champion Alex Dunne bettered it. Logan Sargeant raced alongside Piastri and now competes with Williams Racing.
Qualifying starts at 10:40 on Saturday with Race One taking place at 14:30. The lights go out on Sunday at 12:55 for Race Two with Race Three at 16:35.
Sunday coverage of the event, live on free to air TV, can be seen from 12:00 on ITV1, including British F4 Race 2, moving to ITV4 at 14:00 featuring Race 3.
Live timing and commentary from Saturday and Sunday will be available here
Ticket information and timetable available here
