Hauger takes double pole for second time this season.

Double R Racing’s Jewiss and Tonteri within touching distance of Hauger’s pole time.

23 JUNE, 2018 – Arden’s Dennis Hauger took a superb double pole position in qualifying at Croft for the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, after an incredibly close shootout with Double R Racing’s Kiern Jewiss and Paavo Tonteri.

Red Bull Junior Team driver Hauger carried plenty of momentum into the session on the back of his timesheet topping performance in free practice two yesterday and excelled around the 2.125-mile North Yorkshire circuit. He claimed pole by 0.038s from Jewiss, with Tonteri only 0.019s further adrift.

Hauger married speed with consistency out on track, his second-fastest time of the session just 0.006s slower than his best. It underlined the Norwegian’s excellent pace and ensured he will start from pole in round 15.

“It’s great that we will start from pole for two races this weekend,” said Hauger. “My lap times were really consistent throughout the session so that’s a really good sign for the races. The car feels really good.

“We’ve got the momentum and we’ve got to keep pushing. It was great to get my first win two weeks ago, but now we want more.

“I’ve had pretty good starts throughout the season so hopefully we can get more good starts this weekend and pull away at the front.”

Tonteri looked set for second, but for a late flyer from Jewiss earned the championship leader a front row grid slot for round 13. However, Tonteri was the quickest of the pair based on second-fastest times and will start alongside poleman Hauger in the final race of the weekend.

“It was a really close fight in qualifying and it will be in the races,” said Jewiss. “It’s so close between the top three.

“We made a bit of a step in sector three thanks to our work overnight, but there is still a little more to find.

“We need to get a really good start and manage the cold tyres better than the others to take advantage at the beginning.

“If I cannot get by Hauger at the start it’s going to be a close race with me sat behind him, trying to fashion an overtake as the race progresses.”

Added Tonteri: “I’m happy with the performance in qualifying, but obviously would have liked to get pole.

“I had traffic on my best lap which didn’t help, but that’s the way it goes sometimes and I’m now really looking forward to the races.

“I think it will be a good fight between all of us at the front. The car feels really good and we are quick here.

“My starts have been getting better during the season so hopefully we can have good ones here.

“I like this circuit. It’s a difficult track but at the same time it’s really fun to drive.”

Patrik Pasma (Arden) netted the final spot on the second row and with it every chance to fight for top honours this weekend, having recorded a time just a couple of tenths off of team-mate Hauger.

Ayrton Simmons bounced back from a quiet Friday free practice after a bold setup change ahead of qualifying. His and the team’s brave decision paid off, Simmons catapulting up the order in the closing stages to secure fifth on the grid.

Johnathan Hoggard wound up sandwiched between JHR Developments duo Simmons and Josh Skelton on the timesheet in sixth, while Sebastian Priaulx (Arden) and Manuel Sulaiman (JHR Developments) landed eighth and ninth place grid slots for round 13.

Hampus Ericsson (Fortec Motorsports) will line up 10th, but felt he was capable of more if he had been able to get the tyres at their peak.

Free practice pacesetter Jack Doohan (Arden) endured a nightmare qualifying session. The Aussie was left beleaguered in the pits due to a technical problem for over half of proceedings and unable to fight for pole.

“After free practice we thought it was going to be a very strong weekend for us, but unfortunately qualifying has changed the complexion of the weekend a bit,” said Doohan.

“We’ll keep pushing though and try to turn things around.

“Race two will be key for us. If we can get the reverse grid pole that would be great and what we’ll be aiming for so we can really fight for the win.”

The first race of the weekend follows at 1445.

F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost



Provisional qualifying times Croft, 23 June, 2018

Round 13 grid order

1 Dennis HAUGER / NOR / Arden 1:21.001

2 Kiern JEWISS / GBR / Double R 1:21.039

3 Paavo TONTERI / FIN / Double R 1:21.058

4 Patrik PASMA / FIN / Arden 1:21.238

5 Ayrton SIMMONS / GBR / JHR 1:21.304

6 Johnathan HOGGARD / GBR / Fortec 1:21.501

7 Josh SKELTON / GBR / JHR 1:21.521

8 Sebastian PRIUALX / GBR / Arden 1:21.531

9 Manuel SULAIMAN / MEX / JHR 1:21.614

10 Hampus ERICSSON / SWE / Fortec 1:21.711 etc.

Round 15 grid order (based on second-fastest times)

Hauger – Tonteri – Jewiss – Pasma – Simmons – Hoggard – Priaulx – Skelton – Sulaiman – Ericsson etc.

Full times