Red Bull Junior Fionn McLaughlin tops British F4 standings following Snetterton victory
Red Bull Junior driver Fionn McLaughlin clinched his maiden victory of the season to ascend to the top of the British Formula 4 leaderboard.
Magherafelt's own McLaughlin triumphed in the third race at Snetterton after an assertive drive from pole position.
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The 17-year-old finds himself leading the overall championship by a margin of nine points ahead of Hungary's Martin Molnar, as well as dominating the rookie rankings after three events.
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Despite seizing pole for the opening race, McLaughlin slipped back following a lead-costing error.
Nevertheless, he redeemed himself with an eighth-place finish in the second race and then proceeded to claim the chequered flag in the weekend's concluding event.
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"I was really rooting for the victory. In that last one I was really fast and I came away with the win," revealed Hitech's McLaughlin.
"Every racing driver loves it when you're on your own and you have a big gap behind, so the stress was low and I just tried to manage the gap and stay calm."
The key was getting a strong start off the grid - and McLaughlin got a perfect getaway.
'The main thing in F4 is getting a good launch, so I did a good start and from there on just drove off," he said.
"I think every racing driver loves it when you're on your own and you have a big gap behind, so the stress was low and I just tried to manage the gap and stay calm.'
The next round of the Wera Tools F4 British Championship takes place at Oulton Park in a fortnight.
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