Arden Motorsport returns to Thruxton, Hampshire this weekend (28-29 August) looking to continue their recent momentum into the second half of the 2021 F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost season.
The Banbury-based team have enjoyed a steady run of success in Britain’s FIA Formula 4 category to-date this year, including victory for Zak Taylor at Brands Hatch, a further six podium finishes and David Morales’ maiden points last time out at Knockhill.
This weekend marks the series’ second visit to the high-speed, 2.35-mile Thruxton circuit, having opened the current season in Hampshire back in May.
On that occasion, Taylor marked his single seater debut with a maiden podium, plus a further top-five finish, whilst in previous years the Red Arrows have – quite appropriately – found the Aerodrome a happy hunting ground, with four previous race wins to their record.
Characterised by its fast, flowing nature, Thruxton always produces some of the best racing on the calendar, with plenty of opportunities for drivers to slipstream and overtake one another, such as the Club chicane.
More technical sections such as the Campbell, Cobb and Seagrave complex also make for a challenging and physically exerting lap, with both of Arden’s rising stars set to be tested to the limit in race trim.
Following pre-event testing on Friday, the competitive action kicks off at 09:00 (BST) on Saturday morning with qualifying, with the first two races to follow later that afternoon at 13:40 and 17:15 respectively.
Sunday features one further, ITV4-televised race, with lights out scheduled for 14:55.
Gary Ward, Arden British F4 Team Manager said:
“Thruxton is one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, but we’ve also got the added benefit of having raced here once already this season.
“That experience will be a really useful yardstick for Zak to measure his progress so far, and I’m sure he’ll be up at the front fighting for another podium finish to add to his rapidly-growing collection this weekend.
“David’s got his first points on the board now, so that’s his first milestone ticked off, now we need to work with him to keep that development curve going. I doubt it’ll be long before we have both drivers up on that podium together, so that’s the motivation.
“All things considered, we’re feeling optimistic and looking ahead to another busy weekend!”
David Morales (#77) said:
“I’m really looking forward to being back in the car at Thruxton this weekend. To score my first points at Knockhill was a confidence booster, and a really satisfying result, so now my focus is to keep building on that.
“It looks like another really exciting track, and typically for the UK circuits, there’s no real margin for error so making the most of practice to get dialled in will be really important.
“The racing from previous years has always looked really exciting around here, so I’m looking forward to being a part of it on track.”
Zak Taylor (#99) said:
“Thruxton was a really solid first weekend of the season for me back in May, so I’m definitely looking forward to building on that experience this weekend.
“As first weekends in single seaters go, it was a bit of a baptism of fire at the time, but I’ve learned an awful lot since then, so I’m arriving as a far more complete driver and knowing where, and when, to attack the weekend."