Brands Hatch to host British F4 title decider
Round 10 - Brands Hatch - Preview
Hitech TGR’s Fionn McLaughlin is within touching distance of securing the 2025 Wera Tools F4 British Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend, to round off a brilliant rookie season. The 17-year-old Irishman heads to the season finale with a 61.5-point lead in the Drivers’ Standings and could seal the crown in Race 1 if results go his way.
The Red Bull Junior Team driver has already wrapped up the Rookie Cup title and has enjoyed an outstanding year in British F4. He has claimed five victories, six second places and a third to take a total of 318.5 points into the final three races of the year. In the Rookie Cup, his victory tally stands at 15 from the 27 races held so far.
Fionn McLaughlin:
“I’m looking forward to racing on the Brands Hatch GP circuit — it’s a superb track to finish the season at. It’s very fast and leaves no margin for error, so the priority is to make no mistakes and pick up points.”
The 17-year-old Red Bull Junior Team driver added:
“It’s important to not think too much about the championship and take each session as it comes. We need to maximise the opportunity on track, work hard with the Hitech team to set up the car perfectly and avoid anything that could cause a non-finish. It’s been a brilliant season so far and I can’t wait for the weekend.”
It’s not just the top spot in the championship that’s on the line this weekend. Thomas Bearman heads to the former Grand Prix venue aiming to move up from ninth place in the standings. He has one win and three second places to his name and sitting just 5.5 points off eighth, he still has plenty to play for. The 16-year-old has also impressed in his debut season, taking six Rookie Cup wins to sit a comfortable second in the class.
Thomas Bearman:
“Having raced at Brands Hatch at the end of last season, I’m going to lean on my previous knowledge to help with my pace this weekend. The GP layout is challenging with three super-fast corners — one with a blind entry — and with the grass right up to the edge of the track you need to carry a lot of confidence through the back section. It’s exciting to drive, but overtaking isn’t easy, so qualifying will be key.”
At Silverstone last time out, Joseph Smith scored 18 points in the Challenge Cup and has three class podiums heading to Brands Hatch. The 16-year-old British driver, who joined the Hitech team at Knockhill, will be looking to end his season on a high.
So too will Xavier Avramides, who currently sits fourth in the Rookies’ Cup with two second places and four other podium finishes in class. He will be aiming to take his first class victory and help boost Hitech’s points tally in the Teams’ standings — where we head into the final three races with 481.5 points, 29.5 clear of the opposition.
After qualifying on Saturday morning, Race 1 takes place at 13:55 local time, followed by Race 2 on Sunday morning at 10:35 and the final F4 race of the year on Sunday at 15:20.
