Formula 4 Spanish Championship season is close to finish. This weekend, the sixth and penultimate meeting took place. Circuit Ricardo Tormo, in Valencia, was, as always, a special event for the team as we raced at home. There were lots of up-and-down during our weekend, and we were close to score our first points of the season.
Once again, the team entered an altered drivers’ line-up. Dani Maciá, who already raced with the team back in May, in the opening round in Spa-Francorchamps, was back for the weekend. Alongside the Spanish driver were Isaac Barashi and Gabriel Stilp, who made his debut on the series after a solid rookie year in British Formula 4. Carl Bennett, who had taken part in all F4 rounds of the season, stepped up to EuroCup-3.
There was constant on-track activity throughout the week: collective tests were held on Tuesday and Wednesday. The grid remained as equal and competitive as ever ahead of the weekend.
Real action began on Saturday, with Qualifying 1 taking place after free practice sessions. As it happened in previous years at this track, track limits played a crucial role on the final results. Maciá qualified in a solid 14th position, Stilp was in the middle of the pack for his F4 Spain debut, and Barashi ended at the back of the grid.
On the first race, Maciá fought at the Top 10 for the entire race and crossed the finish line in 10th. Unfortunately, the #11 was given a time penalty that dropped him to P12. Barashi was involved in a crash with another driver. Gabriel had a good first race, fighting at the Top 20 until a rival hit him and sent him to the back of the field.
On Sunday, our Qualifying 2 results compromised our chances for the final race. Prior to that, Race 2 took place. It was a good outing as all drivers improved their starting positions: Maciá finished in P16, Stilp climbed up to 18th from 32nd on the grid after a stellar opening lap, and Barashi was 29th.
The weekend ended with Race 3. Stilp had another good comeback to end P19 but both Barashi and Maciá retired. It was a weekend of ups-and-downs as we were so close to scoring but also had several issues. From GRS, we thank all of our drivers and team staff for the work they do every day, lap after lap, to improve.
This brings another F4 Spanish weekend to an end. The championship will be back in November 11-12 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the season will be wrapped up one more year.
