Sean Walkinshaw Racing believe they are in a strong position ahead of the season-opening Silverstone round of the all-new BRDC Formula 4 Championship.
The Oxfordshire-based team made progress at the official test session at Snetterton, with former CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Champion, Matty Graham, setting consistently strong times, finishing the day with the ninth quickest time.
The 16-year-old, who makes his car racing debut in 2013, set a time of 1:52.682 seconds around the Snetterton 300 layout, good enough for the fifth fastest time in the morning session. He improved by a further half second in the afternoon, taking his overall best lap time to a 1:52.195 seconds.
Graham’s team-mate, Zou Sirui, who is set to compete in his first season outside of the Far East, spent time learning the track and car, only managing a best time of 1:56.593 seconds throughout the day.
“We’re pleased with how the test went overall, it was a decent day,” said SWR team owner Sean Walkinshaw, “We managed to complete plenty of laps and continue the preparations for the opening round this weekend. Matty carried on developing his understanding of the car and we were pleased to see him end the day in the top 10, although we weren’t focusing on times too much.
“It was Zou’s first ever experience of Snetterton, and only his second time in the car, so we just wanted him to get to grips with the circuit and acclimatise as much as he could. We’re satisfied with the work we’ve done throughout the pre-season and can’t wait for the racing to start this weekend.”
SWR’s third driver, karting graduate Jack Barlow, didn’t run at the Snetterton test, but will be back in action at Silverstone on Friday 26th April for the final test ahead of the opening round of the championship on the 27th and 28th April.
