Lundqvist and Caroline share testing honours, as both lap quicker than last year’s pole time.

20 APRIL, 2017 – Double R Racing’s Linus Lundqvist was fastest in testing at Thruxton circuit for the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost, ahead of the next rounds of the season which will take place at the 2.4- mile Hampshire circuit on 6-7 May.

Lundqvist was one of only four drivers to break the 1m 14s barrier. The Swedish racer recorded his best time of 1m 13.256s in the morning session; quicker than last year’s pole lap and just over two tenths faster than championship leader Jamie Caroline’s best. The Carlin ace would later top the afternoon session with a time of 1m 13.657s.

Logan Sargeant (Carlin) and Karl Massaad (Double R Racing) joined Lundqvist and Caroline in the 1m 13s bracket in the afternoon to end the day third and fourth respectively.

Oscar Piastri was quickest of the TRS Arden runners in fifth, ahead of Oliver York (Fortec Motorsports), Daniel Cao (Double R Racing) and Alex Quinn (TRS Arden). All four drivers were covered by just over one tenth of a second.

Ayrton Simmons and Yves Baltas were next up on the time sheets, ensuring that all four TRS Arden runners ended the day in the top 10, with Carlin’s Lucas Alecco Roy just missing out by 0.031s, Jamie Sharp (Sharp Motorsport) 12th and Jacky Liu (GW Motorsport) 13th.

“Testing today has gone very well and it’s really important ahead of the race weekend here. We knew we had a good car and testing today has helped prove that again,” said Lundqvist.

“There’s no words to describe what happened to Billy Monger [at the weekend]. All my thoughts are with him and his family.

“It’s positive to see the motorsport family come together in the way that it has. One day I hope Billy will come back to race just like Alex Zanardi has.”

“In the first session I was P2. Linus and I were quite a bit quicker than anyone else,” explained Caroline. “Then we swapped places in session two. The car was good throughout both sessions and improved as testing progressed.

“It’s so fast here. I had my first win in cars at Thruxton so I’ve always liked it. It’s one of a kind and I’m looking forward to racing around here. It’s a circuit I enjoy and the only track where you brake twice and are then pretty much flat out the rest of the way around.

“It was good to put go P1 this afternoon for Billy. Pole positions, race wins and hopefully even championships; they will all be for Billy now.”

Following an incident in a British F4 race at Donington Park on 16 April, 2017, Billy Monger sadly suffered life changing injuries. A crowdfunding site has been set up to raise funds for Billy and his family, to contribute towards the specialist treatments that will be needed for his recovery. To donate to this fund please visit: http://bit.ly/2pggxoJ.

F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost

Leading testing times Thruxton 20 April 2017 (am/pm)

1 Linus LUNDQVIST / SWE / Double R 1:13.256 / 1:13.882

2 Jamie CAROLINE / GBR / Carlin 1:13.485 / 1:13.657

3 Logan SARGEANT / USA / Carlin 1:14.411 / 1:13.942

4 Karl MASSAAD / LEB / Double R No time set / 1:13.965

5 Oscar PIASTRI / AUS / Arden 1:14.022 / 1:14.256

6 Oliver YORK / GBR / Fortec 1:14.028 / 1:14.125

7 Daniel CAO / CHN / Double R 1:14.088 / 1:14.751

8 Alex QUINN / GBR / Arden 1:14.145 / 1:14.283

9 Ayrton SIMMONS / GBR / Arden 1:14.441 / 1:14.659

10 Yves BALTAS / USA / Arden 1:14.919 / 1:15.289 etc.

Full times