Arden Motorsport celebrated another podium finish – plusDavid Morales’ maiden points – on an eventful trip in the F4 BritishChampionship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost to Knockhill lastweekend (14-15 August).
The Banbury-based team made the annual trip north of theScottish border to the 1.2-mile Fife circuit with both ‘Red Arrows’ – ZakTaylor and David Morales – keen to build on recent results.
After a solid qualifying effort, the opening race proved tobe a race of contrasts on opposite sides of the awning.
After being pitched around by another competitor at theHairpin in the opening exchanges, Taylor was left with it all to do, andeventually retired with three minutes left to run.
Conversely, Morales enjoyed a then season-best run to P12,the US racer continuing to develop with each passing session as he fast-trackshis learning curve after joining the series late.
Sunday’s reverse grid contest proved to be the highlight ofa mixed triple header, with Taylor moving through the field from fifth to annexthe runner-up spot, marking a fourth podium of the campaign for theGloucestershire teenager.
And, with Morales not far behind in fifth, the team hadtwice as much reason to celebrate as David secured his first points finish inthe category.
Taylor would once again be turned around at the Hairpin inthe ITV4-televised finale but recovered once again to finish 14thbehind Morales.
The F4 British Championship returns to Thruxton, Hampshirefor the next three rounds on 28-29 August.
Gary Ward, Arden British F4 Team Manager said:
“It’s definitely fair to say it was a weekend of highs andlows, but if we concentrate on the positives, it’s another podium for Zak, andDavid has his first points in F4, which is definitely an overdue result, basedon the work he’s been putting in.
“It’s always a long trip up to Knockhill and back, so a bigthanks to my entire team for all their hard work and commitment. We haven’tquite gotten the results we’d want on this occasion, but the performance isgetting there, so that’s the main thing.”
David Morales (#77) said:
“I’m really happy with my first points in the championship,it definitely feels like that’s been coming for a few races now, so to havethat ticked off is a nice feeling.
“Knockhill is a real rollercoaster of a circuit, and I feltlike I was improving with every session out there.
“Now I’m just focusing on Thruxton, and hopefully we canbuild on this progress further there.”
Zak Taylor (#99) said:
“It’s been a solid weekend, overall. We have to be happywith another podium finish, and I think our race pace was up there, butunfortunately twice I was spun round at the Hairpin, and from there, in a20-minute race, it’s always going to be an uphill task to claw it back.
“I’m looking forward to heading back to Thruxton. It’ll bemy first ‘repeat visit’ in the F4 car too, so it should be a good opportunityto measure our progress over the season so far. Thanks to the team for theirhard work and support.”