ROKiT Racing Star Deagen Fairclough claims maiden British F4 win

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

ROKiT Racing Star winner Deagen Fairclough took his maiden British Formula 4 win in the reversed-grid race on Brands Hatch’s Indy layout.

The JHR Developments driver and single-seater newcomer, who earned his place on the grid by winning an Esports contest, was unstoppable throughout the race and finished 4.884 seconds ahead of the next closest driver to become the fourth different winner so far in the 2023 season.

Fairclough got the best start off the line, quickly passing Isaac Barashi and Dion Gowda to move into second. Pole-sitter Aiden Neate initially held onto the lead, but Fairclough was able to get alongside him. The pair made some slight contact and Neate went wide, allowing Fairclough to come through for the lead. Neate returned to the track in third behind Gowda. 

As Fairclough pulled away at the front of the field, an issue for Barashi left the Argenti Motorsport driver stuck at the side of the track. The safety car was called out, and Fairclough’s two-second lead was reduced to nothing. 

Racing resumed with 12 minutes left on the clock. Gowda could not put pressure on Fairclough on the restart, instead coming under attack from Neate behind. 

As Gowda kept Neate at bay, Fairclough was left unchallenged at the front. He set the fastest lap of the race on his way to victory. 

Gowda and Neate were joined by Louis Sharp late in the race. Sharp tried to challenge Neate but couldn’t find a way past and the order remained unchanged. 

Behind, Gabriel Stilp held of Aqil Alibhai and a hard charging Daniel Guinchard to take fifth, while Jaden Pariat held the final-points paying position.

James Higgins, who will start from pole in race three later today, struggled to make progress from the tailend of the grid and only managed to climb up to 14th. Meanwhile Sonny Smith, who started from the very back of the grid, stormed through to ninth, just ahead of William Macintyre.  

Race results (22 laps)