Sep 23

Sep 23 Christian Mansell holds British F4 Rookie Cup lead at Thruxton

Australian Christian Mansell has retained his lead of the British F4 Rookie Cup after the fifth round of the 2020 season.

Australian Christian Mansell leads the British F4 Rookie Cup after five rounds. (Image: Supplied/Jakob Ebrey Photography

Mansell qualified eighth a the fastest circuit in the UK, with the entire grid separated by just over a second.

He was unable to hold onto the position in the weekend opener, finishing in tenth position—but vitally placing second out of the first-year competitors behind Frederick Lubin.

Mansell recovered in Race 2, making up three positions in the 20-minute race to finish in seventh place, again crossing the line second in the rookie field behind Lubin—who managed a weekend-best fourth position.

Christian Mansell is currently eighth in the overall British F4 standings. (Image: Supplied/Jakob Ebrey Photography

Despite contact in Race 3, which resulted in a significant performance deficit for the New South Welshman, Mansell was able to hold seventh position across the finish line, as the lead junior.

He leads the rookie standings on 282 points ahead of Lubin on 250 points.

“It has been a weekend of ups, down and even a few bumps so I'm pleased to come away with another win in the Rookie Cup and two more podium finishes as well,” said Mansell.

"I absolutely loved the challenge that Thruxton provided, it is a proper circuit and required me to push everything to the limit. It is fair to say I didn't have the ultimate pace in qualifying and race one but we got our heads down and improved each race.

"Race three was pretty hectic, especially after I suffered damage to my front wing early on, but once I broke free of the chasing pack I was able to bring it home. Coming into the weekend I wanted to maintain the lead we had in the Rookie Cup and it is mission accomplished as we've done just that.

"We're back at it in a couple of days time at Silverstone and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve at the home of British motorsport."