– Swede has mixed fortunes in round two of F4 British Championship
– Fortec rookie scores Motul Fastest Lap Award
Joel Granfors picked up a top five finish as his best result in round two of the F4 British Championship at Snetterton, but indicated there was pace for more with his first Motul Fastest Lap Award of the season.
Having graced the podium twice in the opening round at Thruxton last month, Granfors endured a tougher outing in Norfolk, where he was restricted to midfield grid slots for all three races after a less-than-ideal qualifying session in the 18-car pack.
The Swedish Fortec rookie made up ground from tenth on the grid to finish eighth in Race 1, before scoring his weekend-best result of P5 from ninth in the subsequent Race 2. In the same encounter, Granfors set the fastest lap of the race, pocketing the Motul Fastest Lap Award and the bonus point that comes with it.
Granfors seemed set to repeat his charge in Sunday’s Race 3, overtaking Carlin’s Roman Bilinski early on. However, as he swept by his rival, Granfors was tagged from the side, inflicting race-ending damage.
Bilinski was later penalised for the incident.
“It’s hasn’t been an easy weekend, with a few incidents too many and some questionable moves in the midfield,” says Joel Granfors. “We weren’t quite there in qualifying, and that cost us in all three races. We managed to improve the set-up and the feeling in the car later in the weekend, particularly ahead of Race 2, but it’s difficult when you start too far back.
“Still, I think we showed our potential with fastest lap in the second race, and the car felt just as strong in Race 3 until I got punted off the track. It’s a shame it had to end like that, but there are definitely positives to take away. We will get back to work and do better next time out.”
Joel Granfors now sits fourth overall in the F4 British Championship standings. The next round takes place at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on 26-27 June.
RESULTS
F4 British Championship
Rd. 2 | Snetterton
STANDINGS
F4 British Championship
After 2/10 rounds
1: James Hedley (GBR), 85 p.
2: Matthew Rees (GBR), 60 p.
3: McKenzy Cresswell (GBR), 53 p.
4: Joel Granfors (SWE), 45 p.
5: Zak Taylor (GBR), 34 p.