- Swede returns to scene of lights-to-flag F4 triumph
- Double R Racing rookie currently second in the standings
Victory in the opening race of the season, and second overall in the standings – Linus Lundqvist has stormed off to a flying start in the BRDC British F3 Championship. Moving into round two of the tradition-steeped single-seater series, the 19-year-old Swede is determined to maintain his momentum and up the pressure on fellow Scandinavian Nicolai Kjaergaard (Denmark) at the top of the table.
Lundqvist left the season-opening round at Oulton Park four weeks ago with good cause for optimism. After going second fastest in qualifying, a swift start elevated the Double R Racing man into the lead – and ultimately handed him victory – in Race 1 of the Easter meeting. Another two points-paying results in races two and three completed a promising premiere, leaving Lundqvist 18 points behind sophomore racer Kjaergaard in the aggregate classification, as top rookie.
This weekend will see battle resume at Rockingham; one of a select few European circuits originally built in US-inspired oval style. The American “speedway” concept never quite clicked with the British audience, however, and instead it’s the more traditional infield layout that hosts most of today’s races – including the British F3 contests.
Rockingham is also fondly attached to bright memories for Linus Lundqvist, who sealed a lights-to-flag victory from pole at the venue in British Formula 4 last season.
“We had a great start to the season at Oulton Park and I went well at Rockingham in F4 last year, so I’m heading into the weekend with all the right feelings,” says Linus Lundqvist. “Having said that, I know that it might count for nothing and that things tend to swing quickly in this sport.”
While happy to see his pace from pre-season testing verified at the Oulton Park opener, Lundqvist is not getting carried away and maintains a pragmatic approach.
“We need to make sure we do the same job as last time, or preferably better, and put ourselves in a position where we can extract our full potential,” the Swede continues. “We’ve seen that the pace is there, but you get nothing for free in this championship. I enjoy that challenge, that competition. I’m really looking forward to the weekend!”
The Rockingham British F3 round gets underway with four practice sessions on Friday, followed on Saturday by qualifying and the first of the weekend’s three races. The two final heats take place on Sunday.
19 drivers of 12 different nationalities are entered for this weekend.
TIME TABLE
BRDC British F3 Championship
Round 2 | Rockingham
All times local (GMT+01:00)
Friday 27 April
Free Practice 1: 09.00-09.30
Free Practice 2: 11.20-11.50
Free Practice 3: 14.35-15.05
Free Practice 4: 16.45-17.25
Saturday 28 April
Qualifying: 10.40-11.00
Race 1: 14.15 (14 laps)
Sunday 29 April
Race 2: 11.05 (14 laps)
Race 3: 15.25 (14 laps)