Alex Dunne has won the FIA-certified British F4 Championship for 2022. While competing in the Italian F4 Championship on the Monza circuit, the Irish driver had the mathematical certainty that he would be declared British series champion at the end of qualifying, with his immediate opponent, Oliver Gray (GBR - Carlin), unable to catch him in classification. "It is a wonderful honor to be champion of the British F4 2022," Alex Dunne said of his victory in the British series. Hitech GP has had a remarkable year, breaking the record for most wins in a single season. We also performed admirably as a group. We knew it was doable, but I'm pretty pleased with what we've accomplished."
The title boost allowed the Irish driver, racing in Italy for US Racing, to take second place in race one at the Temple of Speed, passing Rafael Camara (BRA - Prema Racing) in second place in the standings and regaining points on championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA - Prema Racing), who won race 2. In two weeks, at Mugello, the Bolognese driver will have to protect against the Irishman's recovery, but he will be able to maintain a significant lead over him.
At Brands Hatch, in the tenth and final stage of the British F4 Championship, Joseph Loake (GBR - JHR Developments) won both races 1 and 3, while Eduardo Coseteng won the second race for the first time this season (PHI - Hitech GP). Oliver Gray finished second in race 2 ahead of Daniel Guinchard (GBR - Phinsys by Argenti) and third in race 3 behind his colleague Louis Sharp (NZL - Carlin). In race two, Michael Shin (KOR - Virtuosi Racing) and Louis Sharp finished second and third, respectively, behind Coseteng. Ugo Ugochukwu (USA - Carlin), who contributed significantly to Carlin's team title victory, finished off the podium but won the rookie title.
Due to weather, only two races could be held in Monza during the penultimate round of the Italian F4 Championship Certified by FIA, with race two postponed and race three canceled. The series' international record of 44 single-seaters is set. With a dry track, Charlie Wurz (AUT - Prema Racing) won the first race of the Italian series ahead of British champion Alex Dunne (IRL - US Racing) and Kacper Sztuka (POL - US Racing). Andrea Kimi Antonelli returned to triumph in the second race at the Temple of Speed, finishing ahead of a wild Charlie Wurz and the Norwegian Martinus Stenshorne (NOR - Van Amersfoort Racing) for the first time on the podium following a developing season. The Italian championship will be awarded at the Mugello Circuit in two weeks.
Charlie Wurz, though, was overjoyed with his maiden victory in the Italian series: "It was not an easy race, it was quite difficult, but it was also a lot of fun." We fought on each lap, with many side-by-side collisions, and in the end, I crossed the finish line first. I am delighted and appreciative of the entire crew. The first pole position and first victory on a historic track like Monza in the same weekend are incredible."
1. Alex Dunne (IRL - Hitech GP) 412 points; 2. Oliver Gray (GBR - Carlin) 343 points; 3. Ugo Ugochukwu (USA - Carlin) 290 points; 4. Louis Sharp (NZL - Carlin) 272 points; 5. Joseph Loake (GBR - JHR Developments) 271 points.
1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA - Prema Racing) 287 points; 2. Alex Dunne (IRL - US Racing) 223 points; 3. Rafael Camara (BRA - Prema Racing) 214 points; 4. Charlie Wurz (AUT - Prema Racing) 165 points; 5. James Wharton (AUS - Prema Racing) & Kacper Sztuka (POL - US Racing) 150 points.
