Tag: F4 British Championship

Titles decided on TOCA support package at Brands Hatch

Champions weren’t just crowned in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 4/5) as titles were also decided across the four support championships that make up the TOCA support bill.

On what was an action-packed finale around the famous Grand Prix circuit, the capacity crowd in attendance were treated to a feast of wheel-to-wheel thrills as the battle for supremacy across each of the one-make categories reached an exciting climax.

Hitech TGR’s Fionn McLaughlin capped off a scintillating season to be crowned champion at the first time of asking and in-doing so, bagged himself an invaluable 12 FIA Super Licence Points – which he will take with him into FIA Formula 3 next year.

The Red Bull Junior driver entered the final meeting of the season with a commanding 61.5-point lead, and a podium in a captivating curtain-raiser at the Kent venue was enough for him to clinch the highly-coveted crown.

In what has been a ground-breaking campaign, McLaughlin’s path to title glory has been nothing short of sublime, with the Irishman tallying a total of two pole positions, five race wins, an additional eight podiums and seven fastest laps on his way to championship superstardom.

Jimmy Piszcyk helped guide Rodin Motorsport to a second successive Teams’ Cup as he won twice around the 2.43-mile circuit whilst Chris Dittmann Racing’s Tommy Harfield also ended the year on the top step of the podium.

Over in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, just two points separated the top two in the standings however it was Rosland Gold by Century Motorsport’s Andrew Rackstraw that emerged victorious to secure title honours.

The South African driver entered the weekend holding a small advantage in the points over Will Martin and knowing that he just needed to shadow his chief title rival at best to ensure he walked away with the main prize.

Eden Motorsport’s Martin certainly pushed Rackstraw all the way by tallying a brace of podiums although two top-fives proved to be enough for the latter to follow in the footsteps of his team-mate George Gamble and end the year as champion.

Things were just as close in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain too with Tom Bradshaw holding off a late charge from Joe Marshall to become champion.

Marshall proved to be irresistible around the flowing Grand Prix layout, winning all three races, however that sadly wasn’t to be enough as Bradshaw tallied just enough points to bring home the coveted crown.

Rounding out the list of champions was EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Tom Ovenden, who clinched the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE JCW title.

Arriving at Brands Hatch with one hand on the title, Ovenden – who is a previous winner of the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy – held his nerve on a weekend that saw Le Mans 24-Hour winner Nick Tandy win twice to claim the biggest prize on offer.

To view the full classification of results of Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

Silverstone tees up grandstand finish to brilliant BTCC season

The 2025 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship will go down to the wire in less than two weeks’ time at Brands Hatch with Tom Ingram and Ash Sutton going head-to-head for the biggest prize in UK motorsport.

Holding a 33-point lead over his long-time adversary, Ingram will go into the finale in the box seat having been one of three drivers to triumph during the penultimate event of the season at Silverstone this past weekend (September 20/21).

In what was a feel-good visit to the Home of British Motor Racing, the battle for supremacy began in a wet-dry qualifying session on Saturday which culminated in West Surrey Racing’s Daryl DeLeon becoming the first Filipino driver to snare a BTCC pole position.

DeLeon would sadly be unable to convert his front row start in Sunday’s opening contest as Daniel Lloyd delivered a masterful performance to claim his first win in more than 1000 days and the first win ever for Restart Racing.

Dispatching former champions Gordon Shedden and Jake Hill in quick succession, Lloyd held his own out front and never looked like faltering. In the end the race would finish behind the safety car following a fire for Nicolas Hamilton’s Cupra, giving Lloyd the win ahead of Hill and Shedden.

Having battled his way into the top ten in race one following a lacklustre qualifying, all eyes were rightly on Ingram for race two and the Team VERTU lived up to all expectations as he cruised to his sixth win of the campaign.

Bolting on the soft tyre to his Hyundai i30 N, the 2022 title winner was up to third place at the end of the opening lap and then moments later, he was clear of the entire field. Despite having to contend with a late safety car, Ingram cruised to victory ahead of Sutton and Hill.

Arguably the biggest cheer of the weekend was saved for the reverse grid finale as NAPA Racing UK’s Sam Osborne produced a flawless driver to clinch a memorable maiden victory.

Starting from pole position virtue of the reverse grid draw, the Ford Focus ST driver had to contend with race-long pressure from Josh Cook in the Toyota however Osborne was wheel-perfect as he charged to the chequered flag ahead of Cook and Sutton.

Heading to the legendary Brands Hatch circuit, Ingram holds a 33-point advantage however with 67 points still up for grabs, nothing is guaranteed. The battle for third place has also closed up between Hill, Dan Cammish and Dan Rowbottom.

Alliance Racing/Ford hold a two-point lead in the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ order over EXCELR8 Motorsport/Hyundai, whilst the same two outfits under their NAPA Racing UK and Team VERTU names are separated by three points in the Teams’ table.

Lloyd, Mikey Doble and Chris Smiley are blanketed by just a handful of points in the Independent Drivers’ Championship while Restart Racing have already secured an unassailable lead in the Independent Teams’ Championship.

In the battle for Jack Sears Trophy supremacy, just eight points is the difference between BMW stablemates DeLeon and Charles Rainford.

Elsewhere on the TOCA support bill, Fionn McLaughlin edged closer to the Wera Tools F4 Championship certified by FIA title as he extended his lead in the standings to 61.5 points over James Piszcyk and Martin Molnar.

The Hitech TGR driver was perfection personified to win race one of the weekend however the Red Bull Junior ace could do nothing to stop Ethan Jeff-Hall and Tommy Harfield claiming a win apiece in races two and three.

Tom Ovenden remains on course to lift the VERTU MINI CHALLENGE JCW crown after title rival Jamie Osborne was forced to sit out Silverstone on medical grounds. Max Edmundson enjoyed his strongest outing to-date as he claimed two wins while Nathan Edwards was also a winner.

Elsewhere, Matthew Kyle-Henney and Samuel Harvey shared the spoils in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain while Andrew Rackstraw and Sebastian Hopkins claimed a win apiece in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions, CLICK HERE.

Tom Ingram extends BTCC points lead at Donington Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship is set for a blockbuster final six races of the season after Tom Ingram extended his advantage to 32 points over Ash Sutton at the top of the standings around Donington Park.

Ingram arrived at the East Midlands circuit with a 17-point advantage over the four-time champion but a sublime race day on the Grand Prix layout of the East Midlands venue for the Team VERTU driver enabled him to stretch his lead even further.

Saturday’s track action belonged to Ingram’s Hyundai team-mate Tom Chilton as the veteran racer claimed his first BTCC pole position since 2011, and he duly converted that into a comfortable victory in the opener.

Chilton and Ingram pulled away from the chasing pack in the early exchanges and with the benefit of breathing space, they swapped positions so that Ingram could lead a lap and take a point – before the duo settled back into their original positions by mid-distance.

As Chilton and Ingram charged to a Team VERTU 1-2, the NAPA Racing UK trio of Dan Rowbottom, Sutton and Dan Cammish fought their way forward to finish third, fourth and fifth respectively.

Cammish then took centre stage in race two as he celebrated his 200th BTCC race in style by claiming a second win of the season. The Ford Focus ST utilised the faster medium tyre and when Sutton and Chilton hit strife following a safety car restart, the Yorkshireman dispatched Ingram and then romped to victory.

It wasn’t without drama however as a flash downpour in the closing laps sent Cammish and a number of others skating into the McLeans gravel trap. Thankfully the #27 was able to rejoin in the lead and take the win ahead of Adam Morgan and Gordon Shedden.

The weekend’s third and final contest then saw Ingram take his fifth victory of the year as he reigned supreme after wowing the crowds with a captivating wheel-to-wheel battle with title rival Sutton.

Despite starting from the third row, Ingram wasted no time in charging forward and he was soon hot on the heels of pole sitter Sutton, who was running the less favourable hard compound Goodyear tyre.

Swapping paint over a number of laps, Ingram finally broke the resolute defence of Sutton and once out front he swept his way to the chequered flag while Sutton and team-mate Rowbottom occupied the remaining podium places.

Leaving Donington Park, Ingram now sits 32 points ahead of Sutton while Cammish’s win enabled him to consolidate third place in the Drivers’ Championship.

Alliance Racing/Ford hold a slender one-point lead in the Manufacturers’/Constructors’ table, whilst rivals Team VERTU top the Teams’ order. Mikey Doble and Restart Racing are the Independent pace-setters, with Daryl DeLeon heading the Jack Sears Trophy standings.

Elsewhere, history was made on the TOCA support bill as Rodin Motorsport’s Dries van Langendonck became the youngest-ever driver to win a race in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA.

Celebrating his 15th birthday on Saturday, the McLaren Development Driver marked his debut by charging to pole position in qualifying and then followed it up by claiming a sensational maiden win in the weekend’s finale.

Before van Langendonck charged to the top of the podium, Tommy Harfield claimed his and Chris Dittmann Racing’s first British F4 in race one. James Piszcyk then boosted his championship chances with a commanding fourth win of the season in race two.

Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain title contenders Will Martin and Andrew Rackstraw couldn’t be split over the course of the weekend with each driver claiming a win apiece. With four races left to run, Martin holds an eight-point lead over the Century Motorsport racer.

Rounding out the weekend were a trio of races from the VERTU MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, two of which were won by Westbourne Motorsport’s Olivier Algieri. The Wera Alliance Racing Academy machine of Murray Richardson scooped outright honours in the remaining contest.

To view the full classification of results from Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

Jake Hill and Tom Ingram fly high as BTCC stars in Scotland

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship set pulses racing in Scotland this past weekend (August 16/17) as Jake Hill and Tom Ingram scorched their way to the top step of the podium at Knockhill.

Making the annual pilgrimage north of the border for the seventh meeting of the season, the UK’s premier motorsport series delivered a stunning three races in Fife which resulted in two title winners enjoying a share of the spoils.

West Surrey Racing proved to be the cream of the crop during Saturday’s qualifying session as they claimed a remarkable 1-2-3 finish, with Charles Rainford beating Daryl DeLeon and reigning champion Hill to pole position.

After missing the previous round at Croft on medical grounds, Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport’s Hill enjoyed the perfect return to tin top action as he claimed a commanding victory in the first of Sunday’s three races.

Both Rainford and DeLeon enjoyed moments out front however it was Hill that stamped his authority on proceedings as he dispatched both drivers in quick succession and then cruised to a second win of the season.

Pole sitter Rainford was able to maintain his pace up front to clinch second place whilst Team VERTU’s Ingram – who had opted to run the medium tyres – passed team-mate Senna Proctor on the run to the chequered flag.

That pre-planned position switch set up Ingram to claim a sublime victory in race two. Utilising the faster soft tyre, while the BMW pairing of Hill and Rainford were on the medium compound, Ingram charged into the lead in the opening laps and then cleared off into the distance.

As the Hyundai i30 N racer romped to a fourth victory of the year, the NAPA Racing UK duo of Dan Cammish and Ash Sutton battled their way up the order to move into second and third respectively.

While Ingram ticked down the laps out front, Sutton spent the final nine laps chipping away at the gap to Cammish. Then, just as Proctor did for Ingram in race one, the Yorkshireman moved over on the run to the finish line to allow Sutton to claim the extra points for second place.

The BTCC then brought the curtain down in Scotland with another captivating contest and just as he had done at the start of the day, Hill ended it standing on the top step of the podium – this being the seventh time in his career he had done so around Knockhill.

Hill started from the front row alongside DeLeon and by the second lap he had slipped down the inside of his team-mate upon entry into Duffus Dip. That would be the last anyone saw of the rear-wheel-drive ace then as he cruised to victory.

Behind him, Cammish elevated himself up to second place and then once again played the team game to allow Sutton – who had come out on top of an almighty duel with Ingram – to finish ahead of him on the run to the line.

However, due to the yellow flags being waved for the stricken BMW of DeLeon, officials reversed the positions post-race after it was deemed that Sutton took the position from Cammish under yellow flag conditions.

That position swap means that Ingram heads back down south with a 17-point lead at the top of the BTCC Drivers’ Championship. Elsewhere, Alliance Racing/Ford and NAPA Racing UK lead the BTCC Manufacturers/Constructors Championship and BTCC Teams’ Championship respectively.

Three wins from three races for Chris Smiley means he and Restart Racing are out front in the Independents Championship whilst DeLeon holds a slender one-point lead over Rainford in the Jack Sears Trophy.

Adding to the Knockhill spectacle over the course of the weekend were a number of full-throttle races on the TOCA support bill.

Fionn McLaughlin, Adam Al Azhari and Rowan Campbell-Pilling each claimed a win apiece in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA while Will Martin and Sebastian Hopkins were victorious in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.

Over in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain, Jacob Tofts and Tom Bradshaw were the big winners whilst Nathan Edwards, Josh Porter and Max Edmundson reigned supreme in the VERTU MINI CHALLENGE JCW.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Knockhill, CLICK HERE.

How to Watch: BTCC Rollercoaster ride comes to Knockhill

The annual visit to Scotland is here – the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship heads to Knockhill for the short sharp – white knuckle ride of a lap. The picturesque and undulating layout is a favourite for drivers and the passionate Scottish fans – who travel in their droves to see Britain’s premier racing series and supports in action.

All eyes will be on the front duo of Ash Sutton and Tom Ingram who are fighting tooth and nail for the title this season. Sutton is looking for his record breaking fifth crown while Ingram is hoping to double up on his 2022 title success. Other drivers will be hoping to claw back some points in Scotland to keep them in with a chance of the title come Brands Hatch with hard chargers Dan Rowbottom and Dan Cammish leading the pack.

The passionate crowd will be cheering for their home heroes too, with Aiden Moffat, Dexter Patterson and Gordeon Shedden set to receive the biggest support come race day. Triple BTCC champion Shedden has four victories on home soil and would dearly love to add another to his tally for Toyota Gazoo Racing UK this weekend – while Moffat and Patterson will be eyeing their first win in Scotland.

Motorsport eyes from around the world will be on the Power Maxed Racing squad this weekend. The West Midlands based firm received the heart-breaking news that their facility was engulfed with flames last Saturday – with the race transporters the only thing remaining from the unstoppable blaze. Thanks to the incredible support of the BTCC community, the team along with drivers Mikey Dobale and Nick Halstead are set to role out in Cupra Leons provided by other teams. No matter which team fans support – everyone will be willing the PMR team to success at Knockhill after everything they have been through.

When is the next BARC weekend?
This weekend – 16-17 August

Where are the events being held?

Knockhill Circuit
Address: Saline, Dunfermline KY12 9TF

What is racing this weekend?

Out on track this weekend: Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship, Wera Tools F4 British Championship, the VERTU MINI CHALLENGE and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain

How can I watch?

Wanting to soak up the on-track action in person at Knockhill? Tickets are available on the day or on the Knockhill website from ÂŁ31 for a Saturday ticket or ÂŁ42 for a Sunday ticket – with weekend options available from ÂŁ60. Children under 12 go free with discounts for teens and Seniors.

Tickets can be purchased here: www.knockhill.com/events/british-touring-car-championship

Dutch delight as BARC delivers weekend to remember at Zandvoort

The British Automobile Racing Club kicked off the second half of the 2025 season in style this past weekend (July 26/27) as a number of championships made their mark at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

Making a second visit in as many years to the home of the Formula 1 Dutch Grand Prix, a number of single-make categories not only took centre stage but also delivered a blockbuster show – with plenty of thrilling wheel-to-wheel moments putting fans on the edge of their seats.

Spoils were shared in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA however it was Fionn McLaughlin that ultimately ended up as the big winner as he managed to extend his advantage at the top of the standings.

The Hitech TGR driver’s chief title rival Martin Molnár was victorious in a frenetic opener however McLaughlin went on to crucially outscore the Virtuosi Racing driver in the remaining two, somewhat chaotic, contests.

Fortec Motorsport’s Ary Bansal became the tenth different winner of the season as he reigned supreme in race two before Red Bull Junior McLaughlin came to the fore in a frenetic finale, winning for the third time this year whilst Molnár failed to finish.

Caterham Motorsport had a significant presence at the Dutch track and it proved to be a family affair in the Bilstein Caterham Roadsport Championship as Charlie Harris and William Harris each claimed a hard-fought win apiece.

Over in the Edge Caterham Seven 270R Championship, Louis Darling staked his claim as a force to be reckoned with as he marched towards a brace of race wins. Darling had to play second fiddle to Ben Wheatley in race one but after that he wasn’t to be stopped in races two and three.

Remarkably, Darling’s first win in race two came after a breathtaking run to the chequered flag which resulted in him pipping Nick Sampson to top spot by just 0.003 seconds.

Taylor O’Flanagan underlined why he remains the driver to beat in the Vertex Caterham Seven 310R Championship as he produced a flawless performance to snare pole position in qualifying and then go on to win all three races.

Rounding out the Caterham Motorsport action were a trio of races from the Dutch Barn Vodka Caterham Seven Championship UK – all of which were staggeringly decided by less than a tenth of a second.

Race one saw Matthew Armstrong get the better of Aaron Head by 0.030 seconds before Harry Senior came out on top of a back-and-forth battle with Harry Cook to win race two by 0.041 seconds. Armstrong then beat Senior to first place by 0.092 seconds in race three.

Also in action over the course of the weekend was the P4 Emergency Lighting Caterham Graduates Championship. Amalgamating the Sigma 135 and Sigma 150 classes together, those watching at the track and online were able to savour a bumper 39-car grid battle it out for supremacy.

James Emson and Max Haynes emerged as the class of the field as they both took a win apiece, doing so in some fashion too as they both broke clear of the chasing pack and scrapped amongst themselves for outright honours.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Zandvoort, CLICK HERE.

Watch all of the action back on the official BARC YouTube channel HERE.

Going Dutch – BARC heads overseas for second half of 2025

After a short summer break, the circuit racing calendar for the British Automobile Racing Club kick-starts this weekend for the second half of the 2025 calendar. Restarting the racing action will be a trip to the Netherlands for an overseas holiday weekend at the coastal Zandvoort Circuit.

British F4 head from one Grand Prix circuit in the form of Silverstone to another in Zandvoort. The upcoming experience will help prepare the young-guns as they climb the single-seater ladder. The Dutch round will also provide a learning opportunity for the Caterham Motorsport classes and the Caterham Graduates Racing Championship to experience the thrill of competition on European soil.

When is the next BARC weekend?
This weekend – 26-27 July

Where are the events being held?

Zandvoort Circuit
Address: Burgemeester van Alphenstraat 108, 2041 JA Zandvoort, Netherlands

What is racing this weekend?

Out on track this weekend are the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, Vertex Caterham Seven 310R, Dutch Barn Vodka Caterham Seven Championship, EDGE Caterham Seven 270R Championship, Blistein Caterham Roadsport Championship and P4 Emergency Lighting Caterham Graduates Racing Championship

How can I watch from the UK?

We have you covered. Both days from the Dutch adventure will be live streamed so you won’t miss a second of the racing action across all the classes. Make sure you subscribe to the BARC YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/@britishautomobileracingclub

What time are things happening on track?

Qualifying begins on track at 09:00 local time on Saturday with racing beginning at 12:55. On Sunday we get off to an early start with racing beginning at 09:00 local time and running throughout the day.

Do you have any more information?

We have a few other handy links that might be useful to help you enjoy your weekend. Wherever you are!

Live Timing: https://livetiming.getraceresults.com/zandvoort#screen-results
Timetable*: https://www.barc.net/event/barc-race-meeting-zandvoort-july-26-27/
Live Stream: www.youtube.com/@britishautomobileracingclub

* Subject to adjustments prior and during the race meeting

British F4 title run-in set to begin at Zandvoort

The 2025 British Automobile Racing Club supported Wera Tools F4 British Championship is now on its final approach. The ten event, thirty round calendar is about to tip into the second half of the season, as the championship heads overseas for only the second time, with a return to Zandvoort in the Netherlands next up.

Last time out the young, upcoming drivers climbing the single-seater ladder got to experience the thrill of driving at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix weekend – in front of big crowds, a busy race schedule and the watchful eyes of F3, F2 and F1 team owners. Although a non championship, invitational weekend, the title protagonists now return to the business in hand – the fight for important points as the British F4 series heads from one Grand Prix venue to another, with the home of the Dutch Grand Prix next on the billing.

Leading the charge and one of the revelations of the season has been rookie Fionn McLaughlin from Ireland. With two wins to his name so far, McLaughlin leads the standings by five and half points thanks in part to a further four podiums in the opening chapter of the season. The Red Bull-backed driver is being chased hard by the consistent Martin Molnár. The Hungarian may only have a Thruxton win to his tally in 2025, but the 2024 Rookie Cup winner is setting his sights on the big prize this year and his methodical approach has put him right in the hunt for the number one spot come Brands Hatch in October.

Australian James Piszcyk is hanging onto the coattails of the two in front. The Rodin Motorsport driver has the same amount of wins as the front two combined, but the man from the land down under has two retirements to his name – hampering his overall leaderboard position. With plenty of points on offer, he could well pull himself into the slipstream and make a move for top spot before the year is out.

Top British driver, Henry Joslyn has yet to stand on the top spot, but six podiums has earned the Fortec driver a solid fourth in the standings. Nestled just behind him is August Raber. Despite the Swede clinching victories at Snetterton and a Donington double, the Argenti star has had a yo-yo season with retirements and outside of points finishes preventing him to challenge the drivers at the summit. With plenty of points on offer, the speed is there, if the consistency can follow – he will be a threat for the title.

As will British drivers Tommy Harfield and Thomas Bearman who are beginning to turn the screw and light up the show with recent performances. The pair sit sixth and seventh in the standings respectively and with a podium for both in the Silverstone showpiece earlier this month they will be on a high coming into part two of the championship.

Other drivers who have turned on the performance this year include Adam Al Azhari who has taken wins at Silverstone and Snetterton, Leo Robinson at Thruxton and Chase Fernandez at Donington. All know how to win and lead from the front and will be battling to add more silverware to their trophy cabinets.

One driver to keep an eye on for the future is 15-year-old Salim Hanna who parachuted into the series at Thruxton and scored points in all three races on his debut and won the final round at Britain’s fastest circuit. He did the double at the British Grand Prix supporting event at Silverstone. Remember the name. Those results could well give him the confidence for more glory if he returns for future rounds. We will have to wait and see…

So what can we look forward to on track? Well, close single-seater racing with the next generation of talent at the wheel – it reminds us of the Formula Ford days of old. There are rounds at Zandvoort, Knockhill, Donington Park GP, Silverstone National and Brands Hatch GP still to come. How competitive is the series? Very! 30 drivers have registered for the championship with half of those standing on the podium at some point this year. We have also had nine different winners from five different teams and we aren’t done yet!

Next up is Zandvoort in the Netherlands for the BARC circuit racing away day (26-27 July). You can follow all the F4 racing action along with the best from Caterham Motorsport and Caterham Graduates racing series live on YouTube channel with dedicated LIVE streams on both days.

British F4 enjoys historic weekend at Formula 1 British Grand Prix

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA made history at Silverstone this past weekend (July 3-6) by taking on a starring role at the FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025.

Competing in front of more than 480,000 fans at the Home of British Motor Racing, the UK’s premier single-seater series delivered two captivating races that were both won by Virtuosi Racing’s Salim Hanna.

In what is renowned as being a jewel in the crown of the world motorsport, British F4’s appearance at Silverstone was made extra special by the fact that it was the first time Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 had all raced on the same bill.

Getting their first taste of action during practice on Friday evening, the 26-car field delivered a frenetic qualifying session on Saturday morning that culminated in Red Bull Junior Fionn McLaughlin smashing the British F4 lap record on his way to pole position.

Second fastest lap times dictated the starting grid for race one however and it was Hanna that made his front row advantage count as he swept aside the opposition to claim what is arguably the biggest win of his fledgling career to-date.

Despite being passed by Rowan Campbell-Pilling at Brooklands on the opening lap, the Columbian driver remained calm and when Campbell-Pilling spun going onto the Hangar Straight a few corners later, the race was in Hanna’s hands.

Soaking up pressure from Argenti Motorsport’s Ethan Jeff-Hall and Hitech TGR’s McLaughlin after a brief safety car period, the 15-year-old soon began to pull clear and after punching in the fastest lap of the race, he cruised to a historic victory.

Behind him, Mercedes F1 Junior Jeff-Hall recorded his best finish of the year in second place while McLaughlin fended off a late charge from Tommy Harfield to secure the final spot on the podium.

Race two kicked off the action on Sunday and it didn’t disappoint as Hanna completed a clean sweep in devastating fashion. In-doing so he underlined his status as being an undoubted star of the future.

McLaughlin started from pole position but it soon became apparent that he was nursing an issue. Despite resisting the challenge of Hanna for a handful of laps, the Irishman could do nothing to stop the race one winner from blasting past him at Maggots on lap four.

Once in clean air, the Virtuosi Racing hotshot began to streak clear of the chasing pack and once again tallying the fastest lap of the race on his way, he took the chequered flag almost six second clear of his nearest challenger.

Harfield claim runners-up laurels as he battled past McLaughlin with a feisty move at Club Corner and joining him on the podium in third was Campbell-Pilling – who put the disappointment of race one behind him in style.

Mechanical issues would sadly bring McLaughlin’s race to a premature end. His Hitech TGR team-mate Thomas Bearman and Virtuosi Racing’s Martin Molnar would benefit to complete the top five.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA will continues its 2025 season – where points will once again be on offer – on July 26-27 when Zandvoort in the Netherlands stages Rounds 16, 17 & 18.

BTCC closes out first half of the season in style at Oulton Park

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship signed off the first half of the 2025 season in typical action-packed style at Oulton Park this past weekend (June 21/22) with four-time champion Ash Sutton sitting atop the standings going into the summer break.

Taking centre stage in Cheshire for the fifth meeting of the campaign, a huge crowd descended on the scenic Cheshire venue to witness three captivating contests from the UK’s premier motorsport series.

Scorching temperatures were combined with on and off rain showers however that didn’t deter the racing as NAPA Racing UK’s Sutton managed to extend his lead at the top of the Drivers’ Championship to 11 points.

Team VERTU’s Tom Ingram dominated qualifying on Saturday as he obliterated his own lap record to snare pole position, and he duly converted that into a commanding lights-to-flag victory in a frenetic opening encounter.

Sutton had been on course for a podium finish in race one but a strategic call to drop to fourth – thus giving him free choice on what tyres to run for race two – saw Dan Cammish and Chris Smiley ultimately complete the podium.

Lining up on the second row but on the faster soft tyre, Sutton maximised his decision as he surged into the lead by lap two and then cruised to the chequered flag to clinch his fourth win of the season ahead of Adam Morgan and Tom Chilton.

Gordon Shedden then became the tenth different winner from 15 races as he delivered a masterful defensive drive to claim a maiden win of the season for both himself and Speedworks Motorsport.

On a damp track, the three-time title winner started from pole position and was wheel-perfect throughout the 18-lap contest as he fended off challenges from the likes of Sutton, Dan Rowbottom, Jake Hill and Josh Cook to triumph for the first time since returning to the BTCC.

Sutton and Ingram remain the top two in the standings while Cammish leads the chasing pack, albeit someway off. Elsewhere, Alliance / Ford top the Manufacturers’ whilst NAPA Racing UK remain on course to defend their Teams’ Championship crown.

Over in the Independents’, Chris Smiley and Restart Racing maintained their advantage at the top of their respective leaderboards, with BMW’s Daryl Deleon stretching out his lead in the coveted Jack Sears Trophy battle.

If the action on-track wasn’t enough, the Oulton Park weekend also saw an emotional send-off for broadcasting legend Steve Rider, who brought the curtain down on an incredible career spanning nearly 50 years.

Having been the face of the BTCC across four decades, Rider’s phenomenal career was celebrated throughout the event as everyone involved in the BTCC honoured Steve for his unwavering support, service, professionalism and brilliance.

Thrills and spills also played out on the TOCA support package as well with the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA dazzling those in attendance with a trio of enthralling single-seater races.

Hitech TGR’s Fionn McLaughlin reigned supreme in the opening bout however he could do nothing to stop his team-mate Thomas Bearman and Rodin Motorsport’s James Pizscyk from sharing the remaining spoils that were on offer.

The Porsche Sprint Challenge Great Britain also served up three blockbuster races that in-turn shook up the battle for supremacy in the championship standings.

Joe Marshall delivered a masterful drive in the weekend’s opening race however it was then over to the flawless Tom Bradshaw as he charged to a dominant double and with it, claimed the lead in the standings in the process.

Rounding out the weekend’s action were two full-throttle races from the VERTU MINI CHALLENGE JCW. Max Edmundson reigned supreme to secure his maiden win in the series in race one before Lewis Selby fended off his team-mate Jamie Osborne to triumph in race two

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Oulton Park, CLICK HERE.

Sky Sports to broadcast British F4 races at Formula 1 British Grand Prix

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by the FIA can today announce that an agreement has been reached that will see Sky Sports broadcast both Formula 4 races at next month’s FORMULA 1 QATAR AIRWAYS BRITISH GRAND PRIX 2025.

In what is poised to be a groundbreaking event at Silverstone on July 3-6, the UK’s premier single-seater series will benefit from unprecedented television coverage as Sky Sports airs every historic moment around the Home of British Motor Racing on the Saturday and Sunday of the race weekend.

Furthermore, fans of Britain’s Formula 4 category will also have the opportunity to tune in and watch both rounds via the championship’s official YouTube channel.

Seismic for a number of reasons, British F4’s debut at the British Grand Prix will mark the first time in history that Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 have all competed at the same event.

Teams and drivers will hit the track for the first time on Friday 4th July at 17:45 for a single practice session before qualifying sets the grid at 07:55 on Saturday 5th July.

Following Formula 1 qualifying later that afternoon, the first 25-minute + one lap race of the weekend will begin at 16:45 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix – which brings some of the world’s biggest sporting events to Sky TV customers in the UK and Ireland at no extra cost.

British F4 will then have the honour of kicking off the final day of action at Silverstone on Sunday 6th July with race two scheduled to commence at 08:20. This second unmissable contest will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1.

“To have our races at Silverstone broadcast across Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Mix – in addition to our own YouTube channel – is just the cherry on top of what is going to be an event to remember,” said Eve Lake-Grange, British F4 Championship Manager.

“The response we have had from teams, drivers and supporters since we announced that we will be competing on the support bill of Formula 1 at the British Grand Prix has been incredible and I’ve no doubt that this news will be welcomed by everyone. Already there’s a terrific entry list building and with Sky’s coverage, I’m sure we’ll see even more interest.

“Having the opportunity to compete in front of an expected 480,000 fans at the track is one thing but to now be racing in front of millions more on Sky Sports underpins just how much of a huge opportunity and experience this will be for our teams and drivers”.

For more details surrounding the Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA’s upcoming appearance at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, visit https://fiaformula4.com/

Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom share Thruxton BTCC spoils

Tom Ingram, Ash Sutton and Dan Rowbottom emerged as the big winners on a weekend to remember at Thruxton Circuit as a bumper crowd flocked through the gates for the annual visit of the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship.

In what is one of the standout events of the year at the high-speed Hampshire venue, the UK’s premier motorsport series delivered three blockbuster contests that were ultimately won by the top three in the overall standings.

Despite the contrasting weather conditions – which saw heavy rain on Saturday make way for bright sunshine on Sunday – those in attendance had the opportunity to experience the brand-new Woodham Hill spectator banking, which provided stunning new views of the action.

In addition to the wheel-to-wheel racing that was served up, fans also had an abundance of off-track activities such as live music, a dedicated kids’ zone, an array of food stalls, a supercar display, the Crazy Cart Championship and camping facilities to enjoy.

Four-time champion Sutton was the driver to beat in qualifying as he mastered the soaking wet conditions in his NAPA Racing UK Ford Focus to clinch pole position ahead of title rivals Tom Ingram and Dan Cammish.

Race one on Sunday would then see Team VERTU’s Ingram make it nine different winners from ten races of the season as he found a way past pole sitter Sutton and before streaking clear to triumph ahead of Cammish and One Motorsport’s Josh Cook.

For Cook, his charge from 14th to third was all the more remarkable after his car had to be rebuilt overnight following a sizeable crash in qualifying – one which resulted in the circuit’s most successful BTCC driver needing to go to hospital for precautionary checks.

After missing out on victory in race one, Sutton produced one of the finest opening laps in recent memory in race two to charge to a third victory of the season, with Ingram and Rowbottom trailing behind in second and third.

Rowbottom then capped off another strong weekend in his own Ford Focus ST by getting the better of reigning champion Jake Hill to secure his second win of the season in the reverse grid finale.

Contact with Sutton at the high-speed Noble Corner brought Hill’s charge to a premature end and in-turn allowed Ingram and Cammish to fight their way onto the remaining two steps of the rostrum.

Of course it wasn’t just the BTCC that had fans on the edge of their seats though as an action-packed support bill saw three other categories tackle the fastest circuit in the country.

The Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA showcased potential single-seater stars of the future and it was the trio of Martin Molnar, Leo Robinson and impressive debutant Salim Hanna that claimed a win apiece.

Will Martin and Sid Smith proved to be the cream of the crop when it came to the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain as they starred in the monstrous 911 category, snaring one win each to bolster their own championship challenges.

Closing out the action were three unmissable races from the Vertu MINI CHALLENGE Trophy. EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Gabe Fairbrother prevailed in a wet opening bout before rookie Jenson Mason delivered a defensive masterclass to triumph in race two.

Westbourne Motorsport’s Olivier Algieri then got the better of team-mate Rhys Hurd to win an instant classic in the finale.

Thruxton’s next race event takes place in less than a fortnights’ time as the Thruxton Retro takes centre stage. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://thruxtonracing.co.uk/racing/thruxton-retro.