Neither race at round three of the 2016 F4 British Championship (6-8 May) was short of drama or wheel-to-wheel action. Luis Leeds claimed the spoils in round eight for TRS Arden and the Red Bull Junior programme with a flawless performance.

Spectators were then treated to a five-way battle for victory in round nine. Motorsport's stars of the future showcased exceptional racecraft with Devlin DeFrancesco emerging triumphant for Carlin. 

Leeds finally broke his victory duck in scintillating fashion in round eight. It was TRS Arden’s first victory of the season and the first for the esteemed Red Bull Junior driver programme in the series. In a dramatic race, Jamie Caroline came home second, followed closely by Billy Monger and Carrie Schreiner – all three putting in inspired performances to battle through the field.

Said an emotional Leeds: “I knew it was going to be close at the start and I knew if I was able to brake later into the first corner I could go around the outside to take the lead and that’s what happened really. I then focused on putting in good laps to try to build a gap. It was a little frustrating as the safety car kept on wiping out my gap to the cars behind, but I was still able to control the race.

“I’ve been working so hard and full credit to Arden for setting up the car and turning things around after a difficult qualifying. I hope this is the first win of many. My goal is the championship this year and a win like this helps a lot.”

Round nine of the F4 British Championship will live long in the memory; with a five-way battle for the lead and wheel-to-wheel action throughout the field. It was Carlin’s Devlin DeFrancesco who triumphed, taking a popular victory ahead of Billy Monger, Max Fewtrell, James Pull and Sennan Fielding.

A jubilant DeFrancesco stated: “It feels unbelievable to get this win. What a race! What a fight at the front! There was so much respect amongst all the drivers, with good overtaking and clean moves. I cannot wait for what the rest of the season has in store. There were so many touch-and-go moments out on track and the key was just trying to keep focused.”

Despite both missing out on the podium in round nine, it is Fielding and Leeds who leave Thruxton tied at the top of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford standings. Carlin’s Fewtrell, Florescu and Pull lie within touching distance of the joint leaders however and as this weekend has proved there are sure to be plenty more surprises at Oulton Park in four weeks’ time.

F4 British Championship certified by FIA - powered by Ford
 

Provisional results Round 8, Thruxton 8 May, 2016
12 laps / 28.27 miles
1 Luis LEEDS / AUS / Arden 20m 06.547s / 84.35mph
2 Jamie CAROLINE / GBR / Jamun +2.683s
3 Billy MONGER / GBR / JHR +3.073s
4 Carrie SCHREINER / GER / Double R +3.325s
5 Zane GODDARD / AUS / Double R +4.722s
6 Sennan FIELDING / GBR / JHR +9.784s
7 James PULL / GBR / Carlin +9.261s
8 Ayrton SIMMONS / GBR / Arden +9.920s
9 Ross MARTIN / GBR / Fortec +9.940s
10 Patrik MATTHIESEN / DEN / JTR +23.130s etc

Fastest lap Fielding 1m 15.304s / 112.63mph

Rookie class 1 Simmons ; 2 R Martin; 3 Quinn
 

Provisional results Round 9, Thruxton 8 May, 2016
16 laps / 37.69 miles
1 Devlin DEFRANCESCO / CDN / Carlin 20m 16.559s / 111.54mph
2 Billy MONGER / GBR / JHR +1.476s
3 Max FEWTRELL / GBR / Carlin +1.659s
4 James PULL / GBR / Carlin +1.929s
5 Sennan FIELDING / GBR / JHR +2.187s
6 Zane GODDARD / AUS / Double R +4.366s
7 Luis LEEDS / AUS / Arden +4.420s
8 Alex QUINN / GBR / Fortec +5.818s
9 Petru FLORESCU / ROU / Carlin +6.910s
10 Patrik MATTHIESEN / DEN / JTR +7.095s etc

Fastest lap DeFrancesco 1m 14.713s / 113.52mph

Rookie class 1 Quinn; 2 R Martin; 3 J Martin; 4 Kjaergaard; 5 Simmons

Full results

Provisional championship standings
=1 Fielding 109 points; =1 Leeds 109 points; 3 Fewtrell 104; 4 Florescu 103; 5 Pull 95; 6 Quinn 71; 7 Caroline 65; 8 DeFrancesco 60; 9 Monger 47; 10 Martins 45 etc

Rookie Class 1 Quinn 201; 2 R Martin 130; 3 J Martin 112; 4 Kjaergaard 84; 5 Simmons 50