Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in Kent hosts the second event of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship season next weekend, 18th/19th May, where SWR aims to add to the outstanding victory achieved by Jack Barlow at Silverstone a fortnight ago and the podium success enjoyed by Matty Graham.While Barlows round two win was an obvious highlight of the opening weekend for the Chipping Norton team, the squad returned to the podium in round three with fellow single-seater rookie Graham taking an excellent third place. Capping off a fantastic debut, Graham also posted the fastest lap of the weekend in race two which secured his maiden pole position for round three.Hastings 17-year-old Barlow will arrive at Brands Hatch a week from now fourth in the championship, and the highest placed of the car racing newcomers, within just 10 points of the series lead thanks to his impressive victory and additional top six finishes in rounds one and three.Team-mate Graham makes it two SWR competitors in the top six of the driver standings after a similarly strong first weekend in cars. Starting out with ninth place in round one, the Edmundbyers 16-year-old was sixth in round two before taking his first silverware in the third encounter to end the event within 13 points of Barlow.
Chinese driver Zou Sirui had a more challenging weekend on his UK debut but the SWR racer isnt one to lack confidence and has high hopes of a strong outing at Brands Hatch. Although an electrical problem prevented him from setting a time in qualifying at Silverstone, Siruiwho didnt do any true pre-season testingbattled through from the back to post a best of 14th place in round two.After such a fantastic start to the season at Silverstone, were all really looking forward to Brands Hatch and aiming to continue the winning momentum, said SWR team owner Sean Walkinshaw, Were not complacent about the challenge, its going to be incredibly tough to repeat what we achieved on the opening weekend, but Jack, Matty and Zou have already shown how quick they are.Youre never sure what to expect at the start of a season, especially as a new team in a brand new championship, but our aim was always to be competitive from the off. If we can consolidate our position in the championship and fight for the podium again, thatll be a successful weekend.Set to be the biggest event of the F4 season, next weekends action at Brands Hatch will be attended by tens of thousands of race goers with the DTM making its annual visit to the UK alongside the FIA Formula 3 European Championship.
Formula 4 qualifying is provisionally scheduled to take place at 12.00 on Saturday, 18th May, with round four following at 15.20. On Sunday, 19th May, round five is timetabled to commence at 14.15 with round six expected to get underway at 16.40.2013 Provisional BRDC Formula 4 Championship Driver Standings (after Rd3):4th Jack Barlow, 60pts; 6th Matty Graham, 47pts; Zou SiruiDoes Not Score
