Caroline Cruises to Fifth Victory of the Season

Carlin’s Jamie Caroline has taken an impressive victory in the Formula Four British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford; his fifth win of the 2017 season so far. Caroline initially lost out at the start, falling back to seventh, but in an amazing show of speed powered around the outside of those ahead to not only clinch the lead of the race but pull a brilliant gap as drivers behind him scrambled for position. Caroline maintained the advantage well to take victory and extend his championship lead. After a hard fought race Logan Sargeant took the flag in sixth, Patrik Pasma in 13th while Lucas Alecco Roy sadly retired on the first lap of the race.

As the lights went out pole sitter Oliver York lead the field with Sargeant just behind having gained two positions however it was a bit of bad luck for championship leader Caroline who fell back through the field and down to seventh position over the course of the opening corners. Roy also suffered from an unlucky start to his race – contact and subsequent damage left him limping back to the pit lane and sadly out of the race.

However things were soon to change as the leaders of the race began fighting hard – Sargeant lost out to Linus Lundqvist which then led to a series of events as the top five or so runners started to battle for position. Somehow in the melee Caroline had supremely made his way up to fourth from seventh before amazingly placing his Carlin car perfectly to cruise unexpectedly around the outside of those fighting ahead and clinch the lead of the race, in just one corner. Caroline’s speed was further cemented as he immediately pulled a huge gap to those behind – untroubled following his busy opening laps.

Meanwhile Sargeant, who had lost out despite his fantastic start, was running in seventh with team mate Pasma just behind. The pair were in close quarters with Lundqvist for company and Oscar Piastri just ahead – with the battle over these positions providing some of the closest racing action over the course of the final laps. As it was, their fights continued until the flag fell with Sargeant taking sixth position and Pasma 13th. However at the front, Caroline controlled the gap to Alex Quinn incredibly well to take his fifth victory of the season – and extend his championship lead.

Caroline said, “Initially I had a good start and was alongside the front runners but then got wheel to wheel, ended up out on the grass and fell down the order. From there, I had to drive hard to get positions. I managed to swerve around the outside and got in to the lead! After that it was a case of maintaining the gap, keeping my lead of the race and looking after my tyres. This win is for Billy. I drove with my heart for him.”

Two further races take place at Thruxton tomorrow with a special ‘Walk the track for Billy’ event taking place this evening at the Hampshire circuit.