F4 British Championship

Ahmed leads all-rookie Podium, while Norris Wins Title

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An enthralling race saw Enaam Ahmed collect his first victory, to lead home MSA Formula‘s first ever all-rookie podium. However; the talking point was the championship, with Lando Norris ending the race with an unassailable lead, to take the title.

After an hour delay, the grid finally set off for the second race of the weekend at Brands Hatch. Going into it, Norris had a 29 point lead over Ricky Collard. With 26 points available in the final race, Collard had to finish at least two place in front of Norris in order to cut the deficit.

The reverse grid had seen Daniel Baybutt start on reverse grid pole. However; it wasn’t to be a fairy tale race for the youngster as he slipped back on the first lap, only to collect one point for finishing tenth. Instead, it was rookie Sandy Mitchell who made the most of his front row start.

With the championship contenders further back, the grid split into two sections as the first five initially broke away. Mitchell lead in the early stages from his rookie championship rival, Ahmed, while fellow rookie Rafael Martins was third.

The front three stayed as they were for the majority of the race, but a last gasp move from Ahmed saw him lunge around the outside of Hawthorns to take the lead on the final lap. The result gives Ahmed his first win of the year and ensures he claims the rookie title over the absent Dan Ticktum and Mitchell going into the final race tomorrow.

Colton Herta had been fourth after an outstanding get away but struggled to keep up in the latter stages, eventually falling behind Toby Sowery who finished fourth once again.

Having eventually disposed of Baybutt, Collard and Norris both set about catching the top group, however an excellent defensive display from Herta ensured that he was able to keep back Collard in the closing stages so that he couldn’t get the two place advantage he needed.

With Norris also claiming the fastest lap, he goes into tomorrows race with a 28 point advantage and ultimately the championship. While Sennan Fielding recovered to eighth having started at the back.

Credit: Nick Smith / TheImageTeam.com
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