3rd July 2019
Louis Foster endured his most testing race weekend yet in British F4 this past weekend, as a mechanical issue forced the youngster to experience a challenging weekend – despite this Louis brought home points in each of the races to continue his pursuit of the Drivers’ Championship title.
Qualifying
A scorching hot Saturday at Oulton Park saw the Double R Racer take to the 2.2-mile circuit, off the back of an impressive run which has seen him finish on the podium at each of the venues so far this year.
Taking to the track, Louis suffered a mechanical issue with his gear changes and could only manage to post a lap time of 1:23.865, to place the 15-year-old in 7th position for the opening race of the weekend.
With the Copart-sponsored driver setting a time of 1:23.902 as his second fastest time around the track, a 5th place start in the final race of the weekend was earnt – despite struggling with his pace in the first sector.
Race One
Starting the opening race of the weekend from 7th position, Louis would need to deliver an overtaking masterclass on a circuit not known for giving opportunities to overtake.
Despite this, Louis was able to make one place and finished the race in sixth position, just behind team-mate Sebastian Alvarez, to bring home yet more points in the battle for the drivers’ championship. The sixth position also meant the Louis earned the reverse grid pole for the second race of the day.
Race Two
The second race of the weekend was full of drama, and ultimately ended in disappointment for the Vansdirect-sponsored driver.
Starting the reverse grid race from pole position, Louis made a strong start pulling away nicely from the rest of the grid, bringing a 2.5 second lead over his rivals, as they fought for the places below.
With a four-second lead built up after the opening 3 laps, Louis was then struck with a cruel blow as the gear changing issue from qualifying returned and saw the youngster drop back into the jaws of the chasing pack behind him.
Able to recover the issue with the fault eventually sorting itself out and Louis setting fastest lap after fastest lap – however, the damage was already done. Managing to bring his car home safely in sixth position, Louis was able to hold on and secure a points-scoring finish.
Race Three
Still basking in the sunshine on Sunday afternoon, Oulton Park track played host to the final race of the weekend, live on ITV 4.
Starting from fifth on the grid, luck was once again not on Louis’ side as the youngster endured a difficult third race in a dramatic final race of the weekend.
A safety car intervention was required after a first lap scuffle between Louis and Joe Turney, as the latter was forced to retire with Louis also being left with damage to his car.
The rest of the race saw a scintillating five-car battle for fourth place. A battle eventually won by Luke Browning, a mere two thousandths ahead of Louis who brought the car home in fifth position and continuing his streak of picking up points in every race this year.
After an eventful and ultimately challenging weekend, Louis was able to pick up 26 points from the weekend, to remain in second position in the standings but lost ground in the Drivers’ Championship to Zane Maloney, with a 55-point deficit going into the second half of the season.
Reflecting on the weekend Louis commented;
“That was probably the toughest weekend we’ve had so far this season – luck certainly wasn’t on our side. However, these things happen in motorsport and sometimes they are out of your control. I know I had the pace when the car was working at its best and we were still able to pick up points in each race despite the issues.
“Hopefully that will be the end of our bad luck, and we can be on the receiving end of some good fortune as we go into the second half of the season. I’m also extremely thankful to the Double R team who were working late on Saturday to sort out the issue.”
The F4 Championship now enjoys a well-earned break before it all gets underway once more at Snetterton, on the 3-4 August.