Fairclough wins red flagged opening race of British F4 season

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Hitech GP’s Deagan Fairclough won the opening race of the 2024 British Formula 4 season at Donington Park, which was shortened by red flags.

Racing was halted a lap early on lap 17 due to there being a stranded car at the side of the track just as weather conditions began to deteriorate. The results were taken from the end of the previous lap, and Fairclough claimed the win following a dominant performance on track.

After starting from third on the grid, Fairclough shot into the lead before the first corner. Poleman James Higgins lost one spot, while Rodin Motorsport team-mate Alex Ninovic dropped from second to fourth.

Higgins could not stay with Fairclough, who lowered the fastest lap multiple times on his way to victory. By the time the race was ended, he was 5.453 seconds clear up front.

Ninovic regained one spot by passing Reza Seewooruthun and spent most of the race close behind Higgins. He was unable to find a way past him and had to settle for third, while Seewooruthun dropped behind Argenti Motorsport’s Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 junior Yuanpu Cui who charged up from ninth to fourth.

After falling behind Cui, Seewooruthun spent a lot of time battling to stay in front of Jack Sherwood. The Rodin driver was briefly able to take fifth place from him, but Seewooruthun reclaimed it.

Abbie Pulling got past Ella Lloyd late in the race to finish seventh in her first British F4 race since summer 2021, with Mika Abrahams and Bart Harrison completing the top 10.

Race results (16 laps)