During a successful first season in Europe, TRS Arden driver Luis Leeds will return to his native country to compete in a single round of the Australian Formula 4 Championship.
Leeds, who usually competes in the F4 British Championship, will make a trip to his homeland as he attempts to keep on top of his race craft during the summer break. At the halfway point of the season, Leeds sits fourth in the standings with two wins.
He’ll once again race for the DREAM Motorsport team that he made his debut with last season. In 2015, Leeds picked up six podiums on his way to sixth in the standings. He was narrowly denied fourth after a triple retirement in the final round of the year.
Racing at the Sydney Motorsport Park last year, Leeds picked up one of his best results of the season. He collected a podium and a fourth place, cementing himself as a championship outsider.
“It’s been a really long time since I’ve been back to Australia. It’s a bit of a flashback really to get to race with DREAM again,” Leeds said. “I’ve learnt a lot since I’ve been in the UK, in the first half of the season. Surely I’ll be able to take some of it back home.”
“Last year I never got the race win, I kept coming second, hopefully I can come back and tick off that race win! All the other guys will be practicing throughout the summer break of course. I’ve got to make sure I get my practice and prep in before the next round at Snetterton.”
Leeds will be hoping the extra mileage can give him an edge in the championship as he sits only 32 points behind the leader; Max Fewtrell.
Three drivers have returned from the 2015 season with Jordan Love leading the way by nine points over Will Brown. Fellow 2015 race winner Nick Rowe currently sits third in the table.
“To get in a few extra miles is pretty handy. It’s also good to just come back home. It should be good fun because I’m good mates with most of them. I know [Jordan] Love has been pretty quick and I know Rowie (Nick Rowe) and Will Brown are really fast as well,” Leeds said.
Both the Australian and the British championships use the Mygale chassis, as well as the Ford 1.6L Eco-Boost engine, ensuring the venture will be vital for Leeds’ development.
“For the Friday practice I’ve just got to get used to driving the Australian car. They’re pretty similar, I had the same feeling when I hopped out of the DREAM Motorsport car and then into the Arden car earlier this year.”
“It’s always good to come back home and remember where you’ve come from. It should be beneficial to myself and also for the championship as well,” Leeds said.
The similarity between the two cars means that Leeds isn’t the only graduate from 2015. Harry Hayek, who scored two points in his three weekends, beat Leeds to fourth in last years standings. His failure to adapt to the British series baffled many, as he’s now focused his attention on the F4 Spanish Championship.
Also making the jump was the driver Leeds held off for victory on Sunday – Zane Goddard. A fairly quiet season saw him finish ninth overall with one podium finish. Though his performance at Oulton Park and Croft could suggest a coming of age for the Double R Racing driver.