F4 - Front-running Florescu the man to beat as British F4 heads to Croft

North Yorkshire venue hosts round five of the 2016 F4 British Championship this weekend (17-19 June)

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford title battle rolls onto Croft this weekend (17-19 June), and all eyes are on Carlin’s Petru Florescu. With four wins, five pole positions and having been the quickest man in testing at this circuit just over a fortnight ago, it would be a brave person who bets against him extending his championship lead.



However, don’t be fooled into thinking that the Romanian is going to have things all his own way. The title fight is still wide open. Leading protagonists include his team-mates Max Fewtrell, James Pull and Devlin DeFrancesco. The latter has put together a run of form in recent rounds which has propelled him up the standings.



Sennan Fielding (JHR Developments) and Luis Leeds (TRS Arden) both have something to prove after a difficult time at Oulton Park. Fielding’s team-mate Jack Butel is also aiming to score big points this weekend and is relishing the chance to compete at a circuit which suits his driving style.



Double R’s Zane Goddard will strike back with a vengeance after coming tantalising close to his first British F4 victory a fortnight ago and having been a leading player at Croft in testing. He will try to emulate TRS Arden’s Rafael Martins who at the 41st time of asking claimed his maiden victory. Meanwhile Martins’ team-mates Jack Martin and Ayrton Simmons will look to shine.



Jamie Caroline arrives as a Fortec Motorsports driver having previously raced for Jamun. It is a move that could prove pivotal for his title ambitions and everyone will be keen to see if this new partnership gets off to a flying start. He will race alongside Fortec’s super-talented rookie line-up: runaway Rookie class leader Alex Quinn; Frank Bird and Nicolai Kjaergaard.



JTR’s Patrik Matthiesen has had a frustrating couple of races, but with the Dane becoming increasingly accustomed to his Ford-EcoBoost-powered machinery it’s just a matter of time until he starts featuring towards the sharp end of the grid.



The Croft weekend gets underway with two test sessions on Friday when drivers will want to refine their setups ahead of official qualifying and round 13 of the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford on Saturday. The Ford EcoBoost action ramps up further on Sunday with two more races, the first of the day at 1317 to be screened live on ITV4.



Croft timetable

Friday 17 June

1030-1110 & 1500-1540 Testing

Saturday 18 June

1050 Qualifying; 1525 Race 1

Sunday 19 June

1030 British F4 Driver Autograph Session at Ford Race Centre

1317 Race 2; 1746 Race 3

On TV – Live on ITV4 & itv.com/btcc Sunday 1317

On Radio – Listen to live circuit commentary on British F4 Radio.

Listen to interviews throughout the weekend here.