McKenzy Cresswell extended his Rookie Cup lead in the F4 British Championship certified by FIA - powered by Ford EcoBoost at Brands Hatch this past weekend (June 26/27) after producing another podium performance.
Arriving at the Kent venue having made an excellent start to his single-seater career, including three podiums from six races, the JHR Developments driver added to his silverware collection with second overall and a victory in the category for first-year drivers in race three.
Getting dialled in around the 1.2-mile Indy circuit during Friday’s two practice sessions, the 15-year-old carried his pace into qualifying - which for this weekend decided the grid for races two and three.
Cresswell remained a constant threat at the top of the timesheets throughout qualifying and scored his first pole position of the season for race three. His times were also good enough for the front row of race two.
Starting the reverse grid opening race on Saturday in 18th, the Quenched Drinks-backed racer demonstrated his racecraft as he scythed his way up the order to finish 10th .
Race two on Sunday morning provided captivating viewing as the field duked it out in a frenetic wet-dry-wet contest. Starting on the outside of the front row, the Salt Recruitment supported driver elected to run slick tyres; a decision that would initially see him drop to 16th in the early stages.
However, as conditions swung the way of the slick-shod cars, the Surrey-based teenager began to fight his way back to the front, climbing into third before a late rain shower saw his progress halted. Despite dropping back to sixth, Cresswell scored a vital Rookie Cup podium finish.
Bringing his weekend a close live on ITV3, Cresswell - who started on pole position - added to his ever-growing trophy cabinet with a second place finish; his fourth overall podium. The finish also earned him his second Rookie Cup victory.
Leaving Brands Hatch, Cresswell remains third in the Drivers’ Championship and at the summit of the Rookie Cup standings, four points ahead of his nearest challenger.
McKenzy Cresswell:“It has been another good weekend overall with a podium and a win in the Rookie Cup; all of which has allowed me to extend my lead in the Rookie Cup ever so slightly.
“Coming into the weekend I wasn’t too sure where we would stack-up but we’ve had solid pace from the get-go and it was underlined in qualifying by getting the front row for races two and three.
“Race one was just about getting my head down and making as much progress as possible, then in race two we rolled the dice on tyres and the gamble nearly paid off. To sign things off with a podium in race three is fantastic. I’d have liked the win but we made the most of it and managed to still come away with silverware.
“I don’t think that first win is far away now so I’m just going to keep training, keep pushing and hopefully I’ll be in a position to tick that box when we get to Oulton Park at the end of July.”
Cresswell will continue his F4 British Championship certified by FIA - powered by Ford EcoBoost campaign on July 31/August 1 as the series heads north to Oulton Park in Cheshire for Rounds 10, 11 & 12.
Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.