Young New Zealand star Louis Sharp began his 2023 British F4 campaign superbly this morning, taking a commanding victory off the front row at Donington.
Right from the start of qualifying, the Rodin-Carlin driver showed great pace, constantly near the top of the timing sheet before setting the fastest time of the session to take pole seemingly.
The celebrations were short-lived, however, when it was determined a late red flag had come out just a mere second before the Kiwi crossed the line, invalidating his time and what would have been a Donington track record.
Thankfully, his second-fastest time was enough for P2 on the grid, with Rodin Carlin teammate Noah Lisle of Australia taking pole and the lap record along the way.
Come race time, Sharp took the lead on Lap 1 before beginning to pull clear until a Lap 3 red flag for stricken cars halted proceedings.
The Kiwi held his nerve at the restart to pull clear, holding off a late charge from Lisle to take the opening race win by just 0.582 seconds.
Sharp will race twice more tonight at Donington, the first an entire reverse grid race at 9.40 pm (NZ) and the second seeing the Kiwi return to the front row at 2.55 am.
Header Image: British F4
