Linus Lundqvist Stages Thruxton Recovery to Break Formula 4 Lap Record

Linus Lundqvist bagged another F4 British Championship podium in round three of the season at Thruxton this weekend, but was left with a feeling of what could have been after breaking the all-time Formula 4 lap record at the high-speed venue.

Lundqvist found himself right at the center of an entertaining motor racing storm at the fastest circuit on the calendar, with each of the weekend’s three races featuring intense slipstreaming duels and wheel-to-wheel battles at well over 200 km/h. Lundqvist – who arrived at Thruxton on the back of his maiden F4 win last time out at Donington Park – was immediately locked in a thrilling scrap for the lead in the opening race of the meeting, only to drop out of victory contention when he was accidentally pitched into a spin by Double R Racing team-mate Karl Massaad (LEB) at the Club chicane on lap four.

Determined to strike back, Lundqvist – who resumed down in 11th place – then staged an emphatic recovery, snatching fifth on the final lap with a bold double move on multiple karting champion Logan Sargeant (USA) and Oscar Piastri (AUS) at the Complex. In his frenetic fightback, Lundqvist underlined his pace by recording the four fastest laps of the race, his quickest effort being a whopping five tenths faster than anyone else could manage. In the process, he also erased the previous Formula 4 lap record (set in 2015).

Lundqvist then went on to score a podium with second place in Race 2, again setting the fastest lap while surviving further drama in another heart-stopping event, before bringing the weekend to a close with fourth in a similarly busy Race 3. “This weekend has been something else, that’s for sure,” says Linus Lundqvist. “Thruxton is a formidable track for exciting racing, and I have to say this was some of the most exciting stuff I’ve ever experienced in motorsport. The races were incredibly intense and I’m thrilled to have been a part of it. It was a lot of fun out there!”

Lundqvist’s runner-up result in Race 2 marked his third podium of the season, and with a trio of top five finishes to his name this weekend, the reigning Formula STCC Nordic champion now moves up to sixth in the overall standings – just eight points adrift of third place. “It’s obviously nice to come away from here with a podium, but at the same time I don’t believe we got the most out of this weekend,” Lundqvist concludes. “The results were decent, but the lap record goes to show what kind of pace we actually had and what we could have achieved, so I can’t be entirely happy. That said, I’ve learned a massive amount about race craft this weekend, and I’m already looking forward to the next one at Oulton Park.”

Round four of the F4 British Championship takes place on May 19-21.