Jun 7

Jun 7 A turbo-charged six races for Formula 4, and Liam Lawson with everything to prove in Spa

Welcome to your Weekend Preview for 8-9 June 2019. Here’s your look at the Aussies who are competing around the world this weekend.

Everything up for grabs in Formula 4 double-round

Australian Formula 4

The CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship goes double-time at Phillip Island this weekend, with six races to be contested over two days. It’s the third time the championship has held a “double round”, and the first to take place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.

AGI Sport dominated at the track in 2018, with eventual champion Jayden Ojeda taking all three victories. This form looks set to continue, with current championship leader Luis Leeds taking both pole positions earlier this afternoon in the back-to-back qualifying sessions.

The two poles means Leeds has claimed four in a row, dominating the series since the Australian Grand Prix. “That’s pretty good. Same story as always, AGI Sport gave me a perfect car for both Castrol Poles,” Leeds said after qualifying.

“We’ve been working hard since Sydney, so I’m glad our results reflect that. There’s a lot on stake this weekend, so it’s important to get wins in the races and see where we are the end of the round.”

Lochie Huges will start both Race 1 and 4 in second, after qualifying behind Leeds in both sessions. Ryan Suhle and Emerson Harvey were also third and fourth respectively in each session. Christian Mansell joins the championship for his first ever Formula 4 race weekend, while Harry Hayek returns for the first time since 2017 when he fractured vertebrae in a heavy crash in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship.

Leeds will be looking to extend his championship lead, while the chasing pack will be eyeing off the 150 points on offer over the weekend as their chance to catch him.

Liam Lawson with everything to prove in Spa

Euroformula Open

The fourth round of the dramatic Euroformula open season will take place at the famous Spa-Francorchamps this weekend, as three new drivers bring the field up to 21 cars.

Kiwi Liam Lawson will resume his fight against teammate and championship leader Marino Sato. Lawson was leading the championship but mixed results at Hockenheim saw his teammate steal the points lead.

Lawson has proven himself this season, with wins in the first two rounds and fervent charges through the pack when required, but has often tripped over himself as he came close to the lead.

This weekend will be a chance for the young New Zealander to prove his form and take back the championship lead, although his teammate Marino Sato will be hard to beat, as the two have seemed evenly-matched so far this year.

Either way, the weekend will serve as vital training for Lawson, as he will visit the 7 km circuit later this year when the FIA Formula 3 heads to Belgium in August.

Australian Jack Doohan is ninth in the championship on 28 points, while Calan Williams is fourteenth on 8 points.

Can Chadwick hold her lead in Misano?

W Series

The inaugural season of the W Series heads to Misano, Italy, for Round 3 of the six race championship. All eyes will be on Jamie Chadwick, as the Williams Development Driver swept Round 1 at Hockenheim, and looked to do the same last time out at Zolder, before being beaten by Beitske Visser.

The top 5 has been largely unchanged in the first two rounds, with Chadwick leading the championship over Visser, ahead of Alice Powell, Marta Garcia, and Sarah Moore. The 17 chasing drivers will be looking to stake their claim on the championship this weekend, as even small points hauls become valuable in the short season.

Australian Caitlin Wood currently sits in 11th in the championship after taking 1 point in Round 1 and narrowly missing out in Round 2, finishing in P11.

Weekend Schedule

Friday

Australian Formula 4 Race 1 - 3.40pm AEST

Saturday

Australian Formula 4 Race 2 - 9.10am AEST
Australian Formula 4 Race 3 - 11.00am AEST WATCH ▶
Australian Formula 4 Race 4 - 1.35pm AEST WATCH ▶
Australian Formula 4 Race 5 - 4.25pm AEST WATCH ▶
Euroformula Open Race 1 - 11.50pm AEST WATCH ▶

Sunday

W Series Race 1 - 00.10am AEST WATCH ▶
Australian Formula 4 Race 6 - 3.10pm AEST WATCH ▶
Euroformula Open Race 2 - 10.05pm AEST WATCH ▶