Oliver Clarke of King's Lynn, England, celebrated an amazing four days in the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda, after racing at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, as a support race to the Formula 1 Grand Prix Oct. 19-21. Clarke, 15,had the full experience of the excitement of a F1 weekend, racing on the track before the F1 teams did the same.
The final round of the 2018 F4 U.S. Championship saw Clarke walk the track at COTA on the Thursday and get his first look at the 5.51km circuit he would be driving.
Clarke, who announced in early October a move from Benik to the new F4 Velocity Racing Development, and said, 'I just had to take in that this is where I would drive, on one of the biggest F1 race weekends of the year when Lewis Hamilton could possibly take his fifth World Championship and I would be on the track before him on the Sunday. It is a world away from being back home and at school in West Norfolk."
Clarke drove the track for the first time in practice on Friday and after the F1 teams had completed their practice it was time for F4 qualifying. Sadly, the qualifying was red flagged very quickly so drivers only got four laps in. Clarke started the first race Saturday on the grid in 22nd place.
Saturday’s race was after only 30 minutes of track time the day before, so the British rookie had much work to do to push himself and the car.
"The race on Saturday went really well and I made my way through the field and was in eighth place, I believe, with just four corners to go to the checkered flag. I was then devastated when a driver behind made a serious error on one corner and completely took me off the track, so I ended up with a DNF," Clarke said.
Clarke continued, "To finish seventh would have seen me in the points and it was awful to see them taken away from me so close to the end of the race. However, it made me determined that Sunday I would get myself in the points and finish."
"On Saturday we had an F4 autograph signing session for fans and it was great to meet so many people who were enjoying the F4 racing and interested in us as drivers. It was just amazing to drive the circuit with all the media and fans and atmosphere that there is at a top level race. On Sunday we took to the track mid-morning with all the crowds in and ready to see the F1 racers. I had to get my head down to concentrate on my drive. Starting 14th on the grid I raced my way forward to seventh place and this time saw the checkered flag, and was delighted."
"It has been a massive step for me to leave karting in spring this year and I am pleased to be able to say that I raced at COTA on the F1 weekend, taking a top-10 finish, adding to the points I gained in the previous round in New Jersey and gaining new team VRD its first points at this prestigious round."
"I then watched the very exciting F1 race that followed. It has been an interesting rookie season, learning so much and putting myself out there in another country at tracks I have never seen before till I arrive there in race week.’
Clarke added, "I am so grateful to my school Iceni Academy for all their support in my racing and also my sponsors Ryan Motorsport Insurance, Fenland Windows and EHF Gym Downham Market. And also my Mum and Dad for all their commitment to giving me such opportunities and supporting my desire to become a professional racing driver. The F4 2018 championship is finished now but I hope to be able to winter test and return to cars next year. I have podiums in my sights for next year. I am looking for financial support for 2018 so please get in touch if you want to partner with me."
To view Clarke's photos from COTA visit www.oliverclarkeracing.com or Oliver Clarke Racing Facebook and Twitter pages.
Photo Credit- Jon May at FSM Management.
Photo Caption- Oliver Clarke poses for a photo with his mechanic Jack Halls after the season finale at COTA on Sunday
