Eyes on the prize for Jamie Caroline and Pirtek Racing

Uncategorised,Racing

Pirtek Racing’s rising star Jamie Caroline will look to add another title to his resume this weekend when the F4 British Championship Certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost heads for Silverstone for the penultimate meeting of the year.The talented teenager picked up a brace of podium finishes at Rockingham last time out in his Carlin-run car to extend his lead at the head of the championship standings to 74.5 points.

That means that, for the first time this season, Jamie goes into a race weekend aware that he could secure the 2017 title if results go his way – with the two remaining meetings offering a maximum of 75 points each.

Jamie was unlucky to miss out on a podium finish in the corresponding event last year after he was run off the road on the final lap, but he has enjoyed success at the Northamptonshire circuit in the past – taking a race win back in 2015 en-route to the Ginetta Junior Championship title.

Having also topped the times in official testing at the circuit earlier this month, the newly-appointed BRDC Rising Star heads into the weekend in confident mood and aware that another strong showing could be enough to pick up the championship crown.

“There’s no doubt that the results at Rockingham have put me in a great position going to Silverstone this weekend,” he said. “Everyone is saying I have one hand on the title now, but I’m trying not to think about it too much and am just focused on what I need to do on track.

“We went well in testing last week and if we can carry that pace into the weekend then we’ll be in a great position to challenge towards the front in qualifying, and to be in the mix for a win or two.

“If we can do that, then the title should take care of itself, but it would only take a small mistake this weekend to lose me points.

“Even with the lead I have, the main focus has to be to stay out of trouble and when the weekend is over, what will be will be.”

After qualifying on Saturday 16 September at 10.55, the first of three British F4 races will be that afternoon at 15.10.

Race two follows on Sunday morning at 11.15, with race three being featured in ITV4’s extensive live coverage of the BTCC at 16.30.