Hugh Barter continues French F4 lead with Pau win and podium

Hugh Barter has extended his lead of the French Formula 4 championship with a win and a podium in Pau.

Hugh Barter on the top step of the podium in Pau. (FFSA)

Racing alongside the Pau Grand Prix, Barter took a win in the opening race before securing second in race three.

Barter started on pole but was bested by Japanese rival Souta Arao off the line, who held the lead around the narrow street circuit until the flag.

Barter now heads into the third round of the French academy series with a 35 point lead over Arao.

Both drivers scored a win and a second-place finish, but it was Barter’s fifth-place in the reverse-grid second race that gave him an added six points coming out of Pau.

The Australian needs to continue building his lead as he will miss two rounds of the French series to compete in the Spanish F4 championship.

The French F4 series returns for the second leg of a double-header, this weekend 13-15 May at Magny-Cours.