British F4 veteran Simmons makes it two out of three at Brands Hatch

Ayrton Simmons made it two British Formula 4 wins out of three at Brands Hatch, in a dramatic race on a drying track.

JHR Developments driver Simmons started the race from pole, but lost the lead to an opportunistic Kiern Jewiss partway round the first lap.

A mega slide into the beginning of Clearways a lap later cost the Double R Racing man the lead, and he dropped down to third.

Red Bull junior Dennis Hauger moved into second, but did not have the pace to close in on Simmons. His chance came though with the arrival of a safety car, which was required to clear the cars of Lucca Allen and Sebastian Alvarez, who had joined wheels on the Cooper Straight.

On the restart Hauger attacked Simmons, but got caught out by the leader and ended up going off at Paddock Hill Bend, dropping to the back of the field.

Anglo-Spaniard Simmons was unchallenged for the rest of the race, and waved his way across the line to take his third career victory.

Jewiss beat Double R team-mate Paavo Tonteri to second, with Seb Priaulx redeeming taking Arden’s best result in fourth.

Rookie Josh Skelton took an impressive fifth, ahead of 2017 Challenge Cup champion Hampus Ericsson, and the remaining Arden drivers Jack Doohan, Patrik Pasma and Hauger. Jamie Sharp took a consolatory point in 10th, having had his own slide off track late in the race.

Expected title challenger Johnathan Hoggard was the last finisher in 11th, and leaves Brands Hatch sixth in the standings, 50 points behind Simmons.

Race 3 results (23 laps)