F4 British Championship

Norris Wins After Herta Penalised from First in Dramatic Race One

2 Mins read

Lando Norris was promoted to victory after team-mate Colton Herta was given a 5 second penalty for exceeding track limits in the closing stages of a dramatic MSA Formula race at Knockhill, where Norris had to work his way back up after a poor first lap.

The race started cleanly with Norris having a lightning start from his pole position. However; the first lap would see him run wide after the chicane because of the increasing rain, dropping him to ninth by the end of the first lap.

This would promote Dan Ticktum and Ricky Collard who had started behind into the top two. This would not last long though. As the race went on, the championship fight increased with Collard desperate to get past his rival.
The two collided with Collard having to limp back to the pits as Ticktum ended up towards the back. Both of their races were ruined as a result, which once again gave the championship initiative back to Norris.

The Carlin driver had worked his way up over the course of the race and was fifth before the crash amongst the leaders. Now in third, he took the initiative to catch the two in front.

Enaam Ahmed had started the race in fifth, one place behind Herta. Having taken him at the start, he kept out of trouble and now lead the race. Herta, knowing his third win was in sight, knew what he needed to do and started to pressure the young Brit on the steadily drying track.

With conditions improving, it became clear there was now a three car fight for the win. Ahmed was slow out of the chicane, but had the measure going into the first turn. With few laps to go Herta was given a 5 second penalty for exceeding track limits having pushed Norris wide a few too many times.

He wouldn’t know about it until the end of the race though as he continued to push into the last lap. The Carlin drivers went three wide with Ahmed into the final lap as Herta took the lead from his team mate.

Unfortunately, the penalty meant he was not allowed to keep his win as he was dropped to fifth in the final standings, as Norris took victory over Ahmed.

Joining them on the podium was Sennan Fielding who, along with home favourite Sandy Mitchell behind, was able to get within 5 seconds on the last lap, thanks to the ongoing battle. Fielding admitted he was surprised about the podium, but knows this will help his championship.

Behind the top five was James Pull, who will hope for a return to form this weekend. He lead home Josh Smith and the recovering Dan Ticktum, who will know the importance of his eighth place after Collard was unable to finish.

Credit: Nick Smith / TheImageTeam.com
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