Piszcyk scores second straight British F4 win in Silverstone opener

Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography

James Piszcyk reestablished himself as the early British Formula 4 points leader by winning the opening race of the weekend on Silverstone’s Grand Prix layout.

The Rodin Motorsport driver led away from pole at the start, while Hitech GP’s Finn McLaughlin moved ahead of Virtuosi Racing’s Martin Molnar for second. Piszcyk remained in front following an early safety car period before the race was neutralised once more on lap six.

There was only enough time remaining for two more green flag laps once one racing resumed, and Piszcyk controlled the restart again before taking his second victory in a row by 1.266 seconds.

McLaughlin kept Molnar at bay to finish second, while Fortec Motorsports’ Henry Josyln maintained fourth throughout.

Chris Dittmann Racing’s Tommy Harfield began the race as points leader after having a penalty from race two at Donington rescinded. He gained two places at the start to initially run sixth behind JHR Developments’ Rowan Campbell-Pilling, but the pair tumbled down the order after both being forced to make early pitstops. Harfield would later pit again to retire, while Campbell-Pilling recovered to 12th by the finish.

Rodin’s Adam Al Azhari and Xcel Motorsport’s Chase Fernandez were another two to hit trouble mid-race while running in the top 10. Argenti’s August Raber profited to climb from 10th to fifth.

After gaining two places at the start, Hitech’s Thomas Bearman slipped back behind Raber before taking the chequered flag in sixth, while Argenti’s Ethan Jeff-Hall finished seventh ahead of his team-mate Henry Mercier.

Xcel’s Yuhao Fu climbed six spots to ninth ahead of his team-mate Cole Hewetson, who also made a strong recovery from 18th on the grid. Hitech’s Leo Robinson was another to retire early on.

Race results (9 laps)