Summarize

South African youngster Aqil Alibhai came home happy from a tough and wild four race penultimate round FIA British F4 championship weekend at Donington Park. Alibhai qualified an encouraging fourth aboard is Virtuosi Racing Taatus, before ending tenth in race 1 and 12th in the second heat. He then incredibly rose from 19th on the grid to finish fifth in race 3, before starting fourth and ending second in the red-flagged finale.

“Wow, what an awesome weekend!” Aqil wrapped it up. “It was hectic weekend, but it worked out very well off a decent start with fourth in qualifying. I started the first race in tenth and made up a few places but dropped back to tenth by the flag. I was eighth in the second race, which was an extra one to make up for the seventh round that was carried over from earlier in the season. Unfortunately I incurred a track limits penalty to wind up twelfth.

“The reverse grid third race was among my best races of the season. Starting nineteenth, I somehow managed to climb eleven places on the first lap and then just put my head down to fight all the way up to third on the penultimate lap. Somehow I ended up on the wrong side of a discussion for that position to end up twelfth. But still, my run from 19th to fifth is one I will long be proud of! 

“The final was also even better. “I was finally on that fourth on the grid that I had qualified for and made it up to second early. Then the safety car was deployed and I was in a good position when it went back in. I had closed the leader down and was about to make a move for the lead on the eighth lap, when the race was red flagged and that was it! Still, I’m delighted by my second second-place of the year and my third podium with that win, on top of a positive weekend at Donington.

“We have one more round to race in October. I am so thankful to my Virtuosi Racing team for all the effort and work that has gone into what is turning out to be a really special first year of single seater racing. I also salute my faithful fans back home in South Africa and here in the UK, your support means so much to me. Now for that final at Brand Hatch. Bring it on!”