Louis Foster wins British F4 thriller at Donington Park

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

Louis Foster claimed victory in a chaotic opening British Formula 4 race at Donington Park to become the first driver to take two wins this season.

The Double R Racing driver started from pole but fell back down the order after battling with team-mate Sebastien Alvarez on the opening laps.

JHR Developments’ Josh Skelton inherited the lead and was able to build a gap to the rest of the field as Foster battled Carlin duo Zane Maloney and Joe Turvey for second.

Contact between the two Carlin drivers allowed Foster to start to close the gap to Skelton. With multiple fast laps, he managed to close onto the back of Skelton. Though the JHR Developments driver defended well, Foster found a way through in the closing laps.

Skelton tried to fight back but fell away in the final laps to finish 0.946s behind Foster.

Bart Horsten completed the podium for Arden, inheriting third after Turney and Horsten’s team-mate Tommy Foster made contact, with Foster dropping to the back of the field.

Turney took fourth, ahead of championship debutant Alex Connor, who couldn’t drive for Arden in the season opener because he was too young, and Fortec Motorsports’ Roberto Faria.

Carter Williams, who span early in the race, took fifth, while Maloney, Alvarez, and Foster rounded out the top 10.

Mariano Martinez and Reema Juffali were the last of the finishers. Brands Hatch race winner Luke Browning failed to make the start with mechanical problems.

The drama of the race meant several drivers were called to meet the clerk of the course, but no penalties ended up being handed out.

Race results (18 laps)