Fortec Motorsports once again demonstrated strong front-running pace in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA, though misfortune denied the team further silverware at Donington Park over the weekend (30-31 August).
After mixed conditions during Thursday’s practice sessions, qualifying took place under sunny skies. Ary Bansal and Henry Joslyn secured sixth and seventh on the grid respectively, while Thomas Ingram-Hill, returning to action, was 20th. “Some encouraging pace gave us a solid platform to build on,” said Ary.
In Saturday’s opening race, all three drivers made strong starts and gained positions on the opening lap. Tom delivered consistent progress, climbing to 12th by lap six. With four minutes remaining, Ary sustained front wing damage after contact from another car, dropping him down the order to 20th. Henry drove a composed race to take sixth, while Tom finished just outside the top ten in 11th and first in the Challenge Cup – having gained six places during the contest.
Race two on Sunday morning featured a battle between Ary and Henry on the opening lap, Ary gaining the upper hand before completing a bold move around the outside at turn one to move into sixth. Henry’s challenge ended prematurely after contact triggered a spin and retirement, while Tom ran another assured and clean race to finish 12th, this time a gain of eight places. Ary looked set for sixth at the flag, but a late track-limits penalty dropped him to seventh.
The final race brought further challenges. Henry sustained front wing damage after contact with a car ahead, forcing a slow lap and pit stop. Shortly afterwards, Tom was forced to pull off track with damage of his own. Henry recovered strongly to set the fastest lap of the race, underlining his pace. Ary meanwhile ran fourth, before being promoted to second when two rivals collided, but ultimately slipped to 11th after incurring two track-limits penalties. “There were valuable lessons learnt as we continue progressing and moving up in the Challenge Cup standings,” Ary reflected.
Fortec Motorsports will return to British F4 action on 19-21 September, as the championship heads to Silverstone for three races on the short and exciting National circuit.
#26 Henry Joslyn
G1 – 9, R1 – 6
G2 – 7, R2 – DNF
G3 – 5, R3 – 21
Championship: 7 (149 points)
#46 Ary Bansal
G1 – 6, R1 – 20
G2 – 8, R2 – 7
G3 – 4, R3 – 11
Challenge Cup: 2 (215 points)
#8 Thomas Ingram Hill
G1 – 17, R1 – 11
G2 – 20, R2 – 12
G3 – 20, R3 – DNF
Challenge Cup: 6 (79 points)
