Sky-high expectations as F4 SEA season reaches halfway mark in Madras 12.07.2019: After four closely contested rounds, the expectations are running sky high this week as the FIA Formula 4 Championship – fueled by Petron – reaches its hallway ma

After four closely contested rounds, the expectations are running sky high this week as the FIA Formula 4 Championship – fueled by Petron – reaches its hallway mark here this week. Adding to the suspense and anticipation is the fact that this F4 SEA Championship will be making its debut at the Madras Motor Sport Circuit here.
 


“Meritus has raced here in the past and we are familiar with this track but this will be the first time F4 SEA is being staged here. While it will be challenging for the drivers here, we expect the same level of competitiveness and top quality racing witnessed in previous rounds,” said F4 SEA promoter, Peter Thompson.
 


So far, four rounds – two each in Sepang, Malaysia and Buriram, Thailand – were successfully contested since the season began in early April. Each round featured four races which means the drivers have battled for honours in 16 races. At the end of the week, 20 races would have been staged in a season where 40 races have been scheduled. This is the more than any other F4 Championship in the world this season.
 


Thompson also commented that the Indian drivers in the series, Yash Aradhya, Arya Singh and Sneha Sharma, would have an advantage as they would be racing at ‘home’. But that alone may not be enough as there’s a bunch of drivers who are eager for success and out to wrest the honours.
 


Australian driver Josh Smith, whose consistency in mounting the podium in all four races led him to the Event 4 title in Buriram, and Ireland’s Lucca Allen, who claimed two wins at the same race last month, will be the ones to look out for here.
 


“It was a perfect week for me, I finished in the top two in every race. I’m looking forward to the next round (in Madras),” Smith had said.
 


Also impressive in the last round and likely to make an impression here this week are Oman’s Shihab Al Habsi, winner of one race in the previous round, and Finland’s rookie driver, Elias Seppanen, who secured three third placings. “I will be stronger in the next round (Madras),” vowed Shihab.
 


Other drivers who have also impressed in previous rounds include Malthe Jakobsen (Denmark), Alister Yoong (Malaysia), Ali Akabi (Jordan), Muizz Musyaffa (Malaysia) and Emil Skaras (Sweden).
 


For the record, the Event 1 winner was Hadrian David (France) while Allen was the winner of Event 2 and Event 3.
 


Fans will be in for a double treat as there will be a second round staged here again next week (July 19-21). After India, the F4 SEA Championship heads back to Sepang, Malaysia for two more rounds (Aug 23-25 and Sept 27-29) before the season’s finale of two more rounds in the Philippines (Nov 15-17 and Nov 22-24).
 
 



2019 RACE CALENDAR


1    Apr 5-7    Malaysia    Sepang    1 to 4
2    Apr 19-21    Malaysia    Sepang    5 to 8
3    May 10-12    Thailand    Buriram    9 to 12
4    June 14-16    Thailand    Buriram    13 to 16
5    July 12-14    India    Madras    17 to 20
6    July 19-21    India    Madras    21 to 24
7    Aug 23-25    Malaysia    Sepang    25 to 28
8    Sept 27-29    Malaysia    Sepang    29 to 32
9    Nov 15-17    Philippines    Clark    33 to 36
10    Nov 22-24    Philippines    Clark    37 to 40
 
 


LIST OF WINNERS (Rounds 1 to 4)


1    1    Apr 6    Sepang    Hadrian David (FRA)
1    2    Apr 6    Sepang    Emil Skaras (SWE)
1    3    Apr 7    Sepang    Hadrian David (FRA)
1    4    Apr 7    Sepang    Hadrian David (FRA)
2    1    Apr 20    Sepang    Lucca Allen (IRL)
2    2    Apr 20    Sepang    Elias Seppanen (FIN)
2    3    Apr 21    Sepang    Lucca Allen (IRL)
2    4    Apr 21    Sepang    Josh Smith (AUS)
3    1    May 10    Buriram    Shihab Al Habsi (OMA)
3    2    May 11    Buriram    Lucca Allen (IRL)
3    3    May 11    Buriram    Shihab Al Habsi (OMA)
3    4    May 12    Buriram    Lucca Allen (IRL)
4    1    June 14    Buriram    Lucca Allen (IRL)
4    2    June 14    Buriram    Josh Smith (AUS)
4    3    June 15    Buriram    Shihab Al Habsi (OMA)
4    4    June 15    Buriram    Lucca Allen (IRL)


 

- Abdul Rahman, photos Aaron Thompson