Fortec Motorsport‘s only driver for this weekend; Johnathan Hoggard, took the spoils after qualifying for the Knockhill round of the F4 British Championship, with a time of 48.982 seconds.
The short and relatively narrow Scottish circuit ensured that every second counted for the F4 drivers, with Hoggard taking the lead in the early stages. He soon established himself atop the timing sheets, pulling into the pits several minutes before the end of the session.
With some drivers still improving times it looked like a risky strategy, but it would be one that ultimately paid off, as the chasing TRS Arden cars couldn’t catch the conquering sixteen-year-old.
Jack Doohan had been the only driver to challenge him in the early stages, but with Hoggard beating the Australian’s Friday best, the rookie had no response, failing to improve in the closing laps and being demoted to third as teammate Patrik Pasma looked to continue his strong run of form from Rockingham.
The whole field proved to be tight, with 0.65 seconds separating the top ten and under 1.3 across the whole field.
Championship leader Kiern Jewiss would only manage fourth, though it’ll be a position that he’ll likely be content with, as championship rival Ayrton Simmons was only seventh. The JHR Developments driver has been off the pace this weekend and will need a turn around in fortunes during the race if he isn’t to fall further behind in the fight.
Splitting the two protagonists would be Seb Priaulx and Dennis Hauger, the latter of which could jump to second in the standings if he can close down the 19 point advantage of Simmons.
Paavo Tonteri continues to struggle after his mid-season form, qualifying eighth ahead of Josh Skelton. Rounding out the field would be Manuel Sulaimán, fellow Mexican Sebastián Álvarez and Jamie Sharp.
The top nine for race three will be identical as race one, despite six drivers having times disallowed for track limits.
