Pietro Fittipaldi benefitted from late drama for erstwhile race leader Jake Hughes to secure his maiden single-seater race win in the opening BRDC Formula 4 Championship encounter at Brands Hatch.
Hughes led the majority of the race from pole position and was seemingly on course for the race win and with it the championship lead, however a last lap mechanical issue was to rob him of the victory.
With Hughes’ Lanan Racing machine slowing around the final lap, Fittipaldi swooped past to take the win, having passed Charlie Robertson for second late on. The victory sees Fittipaldi follow in the footsteps of his grandfather Emerson, who won the 1972 British Grand Prix at the circuit.
“When I saw the chequered flag I couldn’t believe I was the first one to cross it, it was awesome!” exclaimed Fittipaldi. “I just kept my cool on track and was really consistent all the way around and I can’t believe I’ve got this win in my first year. I just can’t put this into words!”
Seb Morris also passed Robertson late on to claim second for Hillspeed, with Robertson managing to salvage third despite suffering a gear shift issue that left him stuck in fifth gear. Hughes recovered to fourth ahead of Jack Barlow and Jake Dalton, the latter just retaining his championship lead.
Matthew Graham took seventh, with Raoul Hyman securing pole for eighth in race two. Ross Gunn and championship contender Matt Bell rounded out the top ten.
2013 BRDC Formula 4 Championship Round thirteen result:
1. Pietro Fittipaldi, Mark Godwin Racing, 14 laps
2. Seb Morris, Hillspeed, +2.133s
3. Charlie Robertson, HHC Motorsport, +3.797s
4. Jake Hughes, Lanan Racing, +5.489s
5. Jack Barlow, Sean Walkinshaw Racing, +9.164s
6. Jake Dalton, Mark Godwin Racing, +10.708s
7. Matthew Graham, Sean Walkinshaw Racing, +12.008s
8. Raoul Hyman, HHC Motorsport, +13.290s
9. Ross Gunn, Motionsport, +13.341s
10. Matt Bell, Douglas Team E-Lites, +17.755s
