Friday’s practice sessions were delayed due to torrential rain at Silverstone. Rafael Martins topped the morning session, showing incredible pace in the wet conditions. Ayrton Simmons was the quickest of the Rookie class during both the practice sessions.
Saturday saw Qualifying and Race 1. During the Qualifying session, Leeds finished in 2nd position, with only a 0.010 gap to pole sitter Fielding. R. Martins in 10th, Simmons in 12th, fastest of the Rookie class, and J. Martin in 17th.
Lining up on the grid for Race 1 saw Luis Leeds in 2nd, who had an incredible start battling with Fielding. R. Martins made excellent progress - having started 10th on the grid, he was making his way through the pack. As they came into the final laps, Leeds was all over the rear of Fielding, but contact between the two left Leeds with a puncture. Despite the puncture, Leeds managed to fend off a train of cars to take the Chequered Flag in 8th – still collecting those all-important Championship points. Martins came across the line in 6th, Simmons finished 7th, and also took victory in the Rookie class for the second time this season. J. Martin took the flag in 14th position.
Sunday’s Race 2 was in glorious Northamptonshire sunshine, the Arden started; Leeds in 2nd, Simmons in 3rd, R. Martins in 4th, and J. Martin in 13th. Martins had an excellent start, passing team-mate Simmons off the line, then passing Leeds on the following lap. The Safety Car was deployed to recover a car beached in the gravel. Simmons had incredible pace, but after suffering a small mistake on T2, he was under attack from several cars around him but held his own. Martin had his own race mid-pack, managing to avoid getting involved in contact towards the back – he crossed the line in 15th, and 3rd Rookie.
Rafael Martins took the Chequered Flag in 2nd place, followed by Luis Leeds in 3rd to complete a team podium 2-3, and Ayrton Simmons in 8th, and 2nd in the Rookie Class.
Race 3; Leeds claimed Pole for the third race of the weekend, with Martins in 9th, Simmons in 11th and Martin in 17th. As the lights went out, Leeds stormed off into the distance, trying to build a gap in front of the train of cars behind him. However, Goddard managed to pass Leeds for the lead, but Leeds didn’t lose focus and kept on his tail. Martins showed incredible pace, moving up into 7th. Simmons being the quickest Rookie once again, took the Rookie win and came across the line in 9th. Martin also had excellent pace, taking the Chequered Flag in 12th.
Leeds remains 3rd in the Drivers Championship, closing the gap to 19 points to the lead. TRS Arden also close the gap for the Teams Championship in 2nd place. The 10th and Final Round of the British F4 Championship in 2 weeks at Brands Hatch