James Wharton rises to Formula 4 UAE podium in car racing debut
James Wharton has proven his racing chops in the Formula 4 UAE opener at Yas Marina Circuit.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Aiden Neate, and James Wharton on the race one podium at Yas Marina Circuit. (Formula 4 UAE)
The young Aussie was third in the opening race which saw an incredibly close finish between the top three drivers, and was running second in race three before a technical issue dropped him to the rear of the field.
The Ferrari Academy Driver leaves the opening round in sixth place in the championship standings after his first ever competitive weekend in car racing.
Thai driver Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak set the fastest time in qualifying and started race one on pole, with Wharton in fourth.
Inthraphuvasak stalled at the start, dropping to the rear of the grid, as all three Abu Dhabi Racing by PREMA drivers held the top three spots on the opening lap.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was the lead PREMA car ahead of Aiden Neate and James Wharton, but the race was quickly neutralised in a long safety car period after a collision at the end of the field.
When the race resumed there was not much time left on the clock, with the three PREMA drivers tearing off ahead of the rest of the field.
A stunning last-lap battle saw Antonelli take the victory by just 0.03 seconds ahead of Neate, with Wharton in third.
The entire top ten however, missed the chequered flag after the frantic final lap of racing, and were penalised for race two.
The Formula 4 UAE season gets underway at Yas Marina Circuit. (Formula 4 UAE)
Ollie Gray lead at the start before being taken by the charging Antonelli for his second race win of the weekend. Neate finished second once again, with Gray holding on for third.
Wharton was fifth for race two, just 0.083 seconds behind Inthraphuvasak.
Antonelli looked set to continue his dominance as he started from pole in race three and sprinted away to the finish ahead of Neate and Inthraphuvasak.
The string of victories was broken after eleven drivers were penalised for crossing the blend line at pit exit including Antonelli and Inthraphuvasak, promoting Neate to the race victory.
James Wharton finished in 24th after being taken out of contention for second place by a technical issue.
The final race of the weekend promised mixed results with the top 12 finishers from race three facing a reverse-grid start.
Ivan Domingues started on pole position but Taylor Barnard was quickly into the lead after starting the race in fifth position.
The PREMA drivers led a charge through the field, with Antonelli making his way up to second after starting in 12th.
Meanwhile James Wharton made up 11 places on the opening lap from his 24th place starting position, ultimately crossing the line in ninth.
The final race gets underway during round one of the Formula 4 UAE championship. (Formula 4 UAE)
"It's been an incredible weekend of racing and to see the drivers racing hard and fair, and with not too many safety cars, really gave us some of the best racing we've ever had in F4UAE history," said category promoter Craig Thompson.
"It's no secret how much work has been put into this new season of F4UAE with the new Tatuus race car making its debut. Logistically it's been a huge operation from all of our technical partners, logistics teams, entrants, drivers and the crewing of officials.
"To start the season with 27 cars is nearly twice what we've had in the past but it's been extremely rewarding to see the grid so large and the drivers having a great time competing. Congrats to them all for a strong start to the season."
Antonelli leads the championship, but the standings remain wide open as he will not return to the series until round three.
Inthraphuvasak is second ahead of Neate, with James Wharton sixth in the championship.
The Formula 4 UAE Championship returns January 28-30 at Dubai Autodrome.
