Fortec Motrosports’ Oliver York takes first single-seater win of career.

Team-mate Ericsson holds on to third and Ford F4 Challenge Cup win after thrilling display of defensive driving.

Sargeant scores another podium finish.

Title contenders Piastri and Lundqvist collide, as Caroline extends advantage.

13 AUGUST, 2017 – Oliver York took his maiden win in the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost at Knockhill in Round 20 of the season and brought home Fortec Motorsports’ first win of the campaign. Carlin’s Logan Sargeant chased down York in second, while Hampus Ericsson provided fans with a thrilling display of defensive driving to hold on to the final podium place and claim another Ford F4 Challenge Cup victory for Fortec Motorsports.

Starting alongside poleman Ericsson, Andy Priaulx Sports Management star York wasted no time in finding a way past his team-mate. Despite make an excellent getaway, Ericsson was immediately under pressure after turn one. York didn’t need any invitation when the first overtaking opportunity presented itself, scything up the inside of Ericsson to take the lead.

It immediately put Ericsson into the clutches of Sargeant and as the two jostled for second, York set about trying to break away from the field.

Sargeant eventually made a move stick on lap nine after a Safety Car period and despite the American recording the fastest lap on the final tour of the 1.27-mile Fife track, York had enough in hand to masterfully take the first single-seater win of his career.

“It’s a big relief to get this first win,” said race winner York. “It’s been a long season and we’ve finally done it. I’ve worked so hard to achieve this.”

“My game plan was to get past Hampus early on and that’s exactly what I did. I saw Hampus get a bad run out of the chicane and I knew that was my chance to strike.

“From then on I tried to pull away. Hampus is good at defending so that helped me create a gap.

“It’s fantastic for the team that Hampus got third and really pleasing to see that today we had the speed to win because yesterday that didn’t quite look to be the case.

“The team have done a great job. The car has improved all weekend and we’ve really honed the setup.“

“It was another good race for us, bringing home plenty of championship points with my rivals behind me,” commented Sargeant.

“It took me a little longer than I would have liked to pass Hampus which gave Oliver the chance to get away.

“The move on Hampus was tight, but fair. I sent it up his inside and he was mature enough to give me just enough room.

“We got fastest lap and we clearly had the speed out there, so next time hopefully we can go one better.

“It’s great to be consistently on the podium and now we need to take that final step to win. We’re pushing hard and we’ll get there.”

The excitement for Ericsson was from over after being passed by Sargeant. The Swede immediately had to contend with Alex Quinn, Ayrton Simmons and Jamie Caroline. The latter having been on the back foot after running wide and off the track on the exit of Taylor’s Hairpin on the opening lap which cost him several places.

Ericsson refused to buckle under the pressure, doggedly keeping Quinn at bay, with Caroline and Simmons looming to pick up the pieces while swapping positions repeatedly in the closing stages.

“It feels so good to be on the podium and get another Ford F4 Challenge Cup win. Oliver was so fast too so it’s a fantastic result for the team.

“I got a great start, but Oliver found a way through. Before the race we discussed with the team our plan for the race and we agreed not to fight each other hard to maximise the chances of a strong result for Fortec.

“I then had Sargeant attacking me which was tough. I did my best to keep him behind, but he was faster.

“Then I had to defend from the top guys in the championship with Quinn, Simmons and Caroline behind me. It was really intense, but a lot of fun. I worked so hard to get on the podium.”

Linus Lundqvist’s luckless weekend continued, despite yet another fine opening lap which saw him make up two places from eighth to get past title rivals Caroline and Oscar Piastri.

Contact with Piastri on the exit of Taylor’s Hairpin saw Lundqvist spin out of the race on lap six, Piastri suffer front wing damage and the deployment of the Safety Car.

The latter did well to nurse his car to the finish, being subject to an exhilarating two-pronged attack from Caroline and Richardson Racing’s Harry Webb who dived either side of the Aussie to climb up to sixth and seventh.

Lucca Allen was another casualty on lap six. Contact with JHR Developments’ Manuel Sulaiman resulting in a trip to the barrier for the Falcon Motorsport driver having been running in 14th, while Sulaiman just missed out on a point score later in the race finishing in 11th.

Patrik Pasma soared up through the order from 16th to finish in the points in 10th, behind Double R’s Karl Massaad.

Lights go out for the final race of the weekend this afternoon at 1540 which will be televised live on ITV4.

F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost

Provisional results Round 20 Knockhill 13 August 2017

22 laps / 27.87 miles

1 Oliver YORK / GBR / Fortec 20m 27.563s / 81.74mph

2 Logan SARGEANT / USA / Carlin +0.800s

3 Hampus ERICSSON / SWE / Fortec +9.397s

4 Alex QUINN / GBR / Arden +9.746s

5 Ayrton SIMMONS / GBR / Arden +10.345s

6 Jamie CAROLINE / GBR / Carlin +11.562s

7 Harry WEBB / GBR / Richardson +11.760s

8 Oscar PIASTRI / AUS / Arden +13.492s

9 Karl MASSAAD / LEB / Double R +14.073s

10 Patrik PASMA / FIN / Carlin +14.444s etc.

Fastest lap: Logan Sargeant 49.957s / 91.30mph

Ford F4 Challenge Cup: 1 Ericsson; 2 Webb; 3 Caldwell

Full results