DOUBLE PODIUM FOR Quinn AT BRANDS HATCH BRITISH F4 SEASON OPENER
TRS Arden British F4 Driver Alex Quinn took two podium finishes at the opening round of the FIA British F4 season at Brands Hatch to bank a strong haul of points to kick off the campaign.
After being strong through his very limited testing programme pre-season, Quinn maintained this quick pace and took two third positions in qualifying, meaning he would start P3 in race one and race three of the season. (Race two being the top eight reverse grid race)
The first race saw Quinn made a great launch, immediately taking 2nd position on the run into paddock hill bend - jumping his TRS Arden teammate Oscar Piastri in the process.
Early on, leader Jamie Caroline managed to build a gap - untill a safety car bunched up the field.
Quinn had managed his tyres well and attacked Caroline for the victory until the end of the race - setting the fastest lap in the process.
Ultimately Quinn had to settle for 2nd position, missing out by 0.2s at the line.
“It was so close. In the last few laps Oscar and I were really pressuring Jamie. We definitely looked after our tyres better than the others.
“I’m happy with second and I know after today that we can push for wins. I was confident before, but now even more so.
“Even things like starts which I struggled with this time last year, I had a great one today and made up a place.” said Quinn post race.
Race two would see Quinn start from seventh on the grid due to the reverse grid nature, that took the top eight drivers in the results from race one are reversed to form the grid.
Quinn this time didn't get a lightning get away, and in the congestion even lost ground and a position.
Quinn re-took seventh position at half distance and set about closing the gap to teammate Piastri and Caroline. The race ended with the trio separated by 0.5s, with Quinn finishing 7th.
The final race saw Quinn start again from third on the grid. The top three all made a good getaway as Caroline built a gap early on of two seconds to Piastri and Quinn in pursuit. However, as had been the case in race one the chasing TRS Arden pair of Piastri and Quinn began to turn the tables, lapping faster than anyone else in the latter half of the race; Quinn recording fastest lap in the process.
Despite a late dice for second position, Quinn held onto 3rd at the flag, banking his second podium finish of the weekend.
The result mean Quinn is now 5th overall in the standings, with less than two points separating 2nd to 5th overall. However two podiums is a very solid start for Quinn in opening round of the season.
“We had really good pace,” added Quinn. “I think if I had overtaken Oscar I could have challenged Jamie for the win. TRS Arden have done a great job.
“I know we’ll be really strong at Donington and I’m looking forward to it. I’m feeling really confident and to bring home all these points is so important for the championship because as we have seen in previous seasons consistency is key.”
TRS Arden take a commanding lead in the team's championship as well as having three out of four drivers in the top five of the championship after the opening round.
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Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography.
Post-Race Quotes: Alex Battiglapia | Britsh F4 - fiaformula4.com