– Swede masters treacherous conditions in Thruxton season-opener
– Fortec racer holds second overall in early standings
Joel Granfors enjoyed a highly promising start to life in international single-seater racing as he powered to a double podium on debut in the F4 British Championship.
15-year-old Granfors overcame difficult conditions on a wet/dry weekend at Thruxton, immediately installing himself in second place in the championship standings after the opening round of the season.
Finishing second, second and eighth in the three races of the meeting – each time battling back from lower grid slots following a rain-hit qualifying session – the Swedish newcomer proved an instant adapter on the British isles.
“It’s been a great first round of the season,” says Joel Granfors. “I really wasn’t expecting to go away from here sitting second in the standings, especially having only done half a day in the wet in pre-season testing. The pace is definitely there and that gives me a lot of confidence for the rest of the year. I have to thank my team for helping to prepare me so well for this challenge – they’ve been great.”
Alongside his own personal success, Granfors also contributed to an historic moment for Fortec Motorsport as the season got underway, following team-mate James Hedley across the line in a 1-2 finish in both of the first two races of the weekend to score the Daventry squad’s first – and second – ever British F4 double win.
Hedley – who returns to British F4 this season after already winning four races in 2020 – duly leads the championship, 21 points clear of the debuting Granfors.
“Joel’s performance this weekend was fantastic,” says Fortec Motorsport team boss Oliver Dutton. “To score a double podium in his first couple of races in British F4 was great to see. Joel was unfortunate to get tagged in the last race, but he bounced back from that too.
“His overtakes in the first races were very calculated and, I have to say, executed to perfection. It was nice to see all our preparation in the gym and sim in practice and I’m very proud of how far Joel has come already.”
The F4 British Championship returns on June 12-13 for round two of the season, staged at Snetterton.
RESULTS
F4 British Championship
Rd. 1 | Thruxton
Race 1 | Race 2 | Race 3
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
After 1/10 rounds
1: James Hedley (GBR), 55 p.
2: Joel Granfors (SWE), 34 p.
3: Joseph Loake (GBR), 25 p.
4: McKenzy Cresswell (GBR), 22 p.
5: Zak Taylor (GBR), 20 p.