Zak O’Sullivan clinched two pole positions which he converted into two further victories to extend his championship lead.
Christian Mansell also took a lights to flag victory during the second race of the weekend to become the first rookie of the season to succeed in doing so. Matias Zagazeta joined his teammate on the rookie podium over the course of the weekend and ensured the strong team result put Carlin at the top of the team standings.
After a successful start to the season at Donington, the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost moved to Brands Hatch for a blast around the famous GP circuit. After two test sessions on Friday, it was straight into qualifying on Saturday morning for the Carlin trio. O’Sullivan was quick to capitalise on the session and prove the speed he carried over from just seven days prior. Taking pole position for the first and third races of the weekend meant the perfect continuation for the British racer.
Lights out for race one of Saturday saw O’Sullivan launch off the line into the lead of the race and continue his fantastic form. Controlling the lead, O’Sullivan took a lights to flag victory. Meanwhile, Mansell and Zagazeta were involved in their own fights for position; putting on a great show in their Carlin cars, the pair took the flag in sixth and tenth respectively. The result for Mansell ensured the reverse grid pole position for the second race later that afternoon.
Despite his rookie status, Mansell was composed on the grid and held this throughout the starting procedure. Pulling off the line well, the Australian driver cruised around the 2.4-mile circuit holding the lead of the race and not looking back. Crossing the line as race victor, Mansell also clinched the coveted Ford Super Rookie Award, and the accompanying £5000 prize fund, as the first rookie to win a race during the 2020 season. Zagazeta took the flag in eighth as O’Sullivan ground to halt and retired from the race.
Zagazeta would make it a consistent weekend of racing with 11th in the final race of the weekend; the Peruvian racer graced the rookie podium throughout and sits second in the class as a result. Just ahead of him in the standings lies Mansell who, following his outright win the previous day took the flag seventh on the road and his third rookie win of the weekend.
However for O’Sullivan it was a second stunning lights to flag victory of the weekend – extending his championship advantage to 102 points overall – 18 ahead of his closest rival.
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