The F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost heads to Croft and it’s the familiar face of Jamie Caroline at the top of the standings. The Carlin ace recorded win number eight of the season three weeks ago, equalling 2015 Champion Lando Norris’ record in the FIA certified series. Caroline will aim to go at least one better in North Yorkshire. However, he faces an even sterner test this weekend; carrying a ten-place grid penalty into race one following an on-track incident at Oulton Park.

Caroline's winning run was halted by TRS Arden’s Oscar Piastri. The Aussie is Caroline’s closest challenger in the championship and will seek to make up more ground before the summer break. Piastri’s win came after a thrilling duel with Carlin’s Logan Sargeant whose campaign is now gathering momentum and producing the kind of performances that his pace in pre-season promised.

In a two-day test at Croft just over a fortnight ago Sargeant posted the fastest time. Meanwhile team-mate Patrik Pasma was consistently in the top three on day two and looks a real podium threat. Double R were the stars of day one. Karl Massaad topped the morning session and Linus Lundqvist set the pace in the afternoon. Unsurprising, given that the team have been quick all season and it was at this very track where their fortunes turned in 2016, setting qualifying and lap records on the way to victory.

Hampus Ericsson returns with Fortec Motorsports having made his debut two months ago, pulling off excellent overtakes which belied his relative lack of experience. The Ford F4 Challenge Cup entrant will be joined by Richardson Racing’s Harry Webb who doubled up with class victories at Oulton Park, having been pushed hard by class leader Oliver York (Fortec).

A new addition to the field and the Challenge Cup is TRS Arden’s Olli Caldwell who will become the youngest driver to race in British F4, celebrating his 15th birthday on Sunday. Completing the Banbury outfit’s quartet are Alex Quinn and Ayrton Simmons. The latter is one of only four race winners this season, while the former is on the hunt for his first of 2017.

Daniel Cao (Double R) scored a precious point having been involved in a frenetic battle last time out which included Jamie Sharp (Sharp Motorsport) and Jacky Liu (GW Motorsport). Another point scorer was Lucas Alecco Roy (Carlin). Expect plenty of fireworks from these drivers as they bid to finish in the top ten.