Fortec Motorsports made a welcome return to the GB4 Championship podium over the weekend (23–26 May), as Luca Magnussen secured a maiden top three finish at Oulton Park.
Reuniting with teammates Jack Taylor and Tom Ingram-Hill, the trio completed productive test sessions on Thursday and Friday, putting in solid laps to prepare for the weekend ahead. Despite overnight rain, the circuit had fully dried by Saturday morning’s qualifying session, with sunshine and a stiff breeze sweeping across the Cheshire venue. As the chequered flag fell, Jack secured fourth, Luca 12th, and Tom 18th.
Conditions changed markedly ahead of race one later that afternoon, as light rain began to fall and created tricky track conditions. Jack and Tom, both on slick tyres, struggled for grip, while Luca, starting on wets, delivered a sensational opening lap, climbing nine places to second. “I had a horrible, horrible start,” he admitted. “It was the first start I’ve done in the rain, but then I figured out where the car needed to be and made good decisions.”
As the rain continued, the Safety Car was deployed following two drivers sliding into the gravel. Jack was unfortunate to become beached on the edge of the circuit and lost a lap, before the race resumed with four minutes remaining, just as Tom pitted for wets. Luca held firm to take a well-earned podium after his storming start. “It was a shame the Safety Car came out, as we could have fought for the win,” he added.
After a rest day on Sunday, racing resumed on Bank Holiday Monday with more rain looming ahead of the second contest. Though conditions were not as severe as on Saturday, the start was delayed and the race shortened from 18 to 16 minutes after a car spun on the formation lap. Jack struggled off the line, dropping to 15th, just ahead of Tom, while Luca gained two places to run 13th before the Safety Car was again called.
Racing resumed with five minutes on the clock as the drizzle persisted. Unfortunately, Jack slid off and was forced to retire, while Tom then pulled off a solid move to secure 15th, taking the chequered flag just behind Luca.
For the final, reverse-grid race, light rain once again left the track damp. Most of the grid initially opted for slicks before darting into the pits to change tyres. Luca was due to start on pole, but with a delayed start, he also came into the pits, while Tom was one of just five cars to remain on the grid, having opted for wet tyres. He led the race early on before slipping to third, while Jack emerged from the pits in fourth and rapidly chased down his teammate.
“On the out-lap it was borderline,” said Jack. “I came in, the team did a quick stop, and I got out first.” Luca unfortunately ran wide and lost positions before contact forced him back to the pits for a new front wing. He finished 23rd, while Jack came home in fifth and Tom in sixth. “It stopped raining and by the end of the race the tyres were bad,” added Jack.
Fortec’s GB4 squad returns to action over July 12-13 at Snetterton, while attention now turns to the GB3 Championship, which resumes this coming weekend (30 May – 1 June) at Spa-Francorchamps.
Jack Taylor #50
Grid 1 – 4, Race 1 – 22
Grid 2 – 7, Race 2 – DNF
Grid 3 – 9, Race 3 – 5
Championship: 12 (84 points)
Thomas Ingram-Hill #8
Grid 1 – 18, Race 1 – 21
Grid 2 – 18, Race 2 – 15
Grid 3 – 18, Race 3 – 6
Championship: 15 (67 points)
Luca Magnussen #23
Grid 1 – 11, Race 1 – 2
Grid 2 – 15, Race 2 – 14
Grid 3 – 1, Race 3 – 23
Championship: 17 (60 points)
Fortec Motorsports
Championship: 5 (201 points)
