A quiet weekend off and it’s back for another action-packed few days for our Kiwis. After three Formula 1 Grands Prix on the trot, our aspiring champions will have another trio of weekends to contend with including a doubleheader at Silverstone while in America both IMSA and the US Formula 4 championships kick back into gear.
Marcus Armstrong
- What: FIA Formula 2 – British Grand Prix
- Where: Silverstone, UK
- When: R1 SUN 2.45 am | R2 SUN 9.10 pm
- How to follow: Spark Sport
It has been a rocky start to the season for Armstrong, with strong points finishes overshadowed by DNFs and frequent qualifying woes. Unusually, the amount of dry weather running in F2 has been severely limited with Silverstone another circuit renowned for its sudden shifts in weatehr conditions.
Nonetheless, Armstrong and his ART team will be targeting qualifying as a key area of improvement with a string of disappointing sessions ultimately meaning the Kiwi is unable to extract his maximum potential in the Feature Race.
Silverstone has recently been kind to Armstrong with the Kiwi claiming a podium finish for Prema in last year’s Formula 3 feature race as well as pole position in European F3 the year before. After a lacklustre Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Silverstone could be the stage where the 20-year-old steers his championship assault back in the right direction.
Liam Lawson
- What: FIA Formula 3 – British Grand Prix
- Where: Silverstone, UK
- When: R1 SAT 8.25 pm | R2 SUN 7.45 pm
- How to follow: Spark Sport
A Hungarian Grand Prix weekend marred by technical glitches and an impressive flame-spitting flare-up, Lawson’s debut win in F3 seems a world away after three successive DNFs have sucker-punched his title ambitions.
But Silverstone has historically been a happy hunting ground for Lawson being the venue he picked up his first F3 podium last year.
The Kiwi will have undoubtedly demanded answers from HiTech GP after Hungary’s blunder with qualifying again proven an area of weakness for the British outfit.
Jaxon Evans
- What: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – British Grand Pirx
- Where: Silverstone, UK
- When: Race SUN 10.25 pm
- How to follow: Spark Sport
2020 has become the Lechner Racing show after the two-car squad has scored all three wins in the opening three rounds to the championship.
Unfortunately, Evans has been on the receiving end of two title blows by his impressive teammate Dylan Pereria. The Kiwi was caught out in an incident during last weekend’s duel in Hungary, dealt a contentious drive-through penalty for his troubles.
Evans finished fifth in last year’s race at Silverstone, his maiden top-Five finish but will be aware of the expectation for him to challenge for win come Sunday. A good result over Pereria will reignite Evans’ title fight and put him a strong position moving forward.
Earl Bamber
- What: IMSA Road Race Showcase
- Where: Road America, US
- When: Race MON 5.30 am
- How to follow: Sky Sport
Bamber will be hoping Sebring’s clumsy pitlane clash with the sister Porsche GTLM will be the only mistake of the season as IMSA’s Road trip sees the series head to Road America this weekend.
The Kiwi and teammate Laurens Vanthoor are yet to claim victory in 2020 but maintain the championship lead in class courtesy of their consistent results which have so far seen them failed to finish off the podium.
A rejuvenated Corvette outfit have emerged as Porsche’s most competitive challengers, capitalising on any unforced slip-ups by their German rivals and have snared victory in the past two races. A streak Bamber will be all but happy to see halted in its tracks.
Ronan Murphy
- What: US Formula 4
- Where: Baber Motorsports Park, US
- When: R1 SUN 2.50 am | R2 SUN 7.15 am | R3 MON 2.50 am | R4 MON 6.10 am
- How to follow: Live Timing
Four races and four more chances for Murphy to add to his US F4 podium tally. The Kiwi Motorsport pilot has quickly come on song in recent races, seamlessly adapting to a widely unfamiliar machine.
Qualifying has unfortunately been the thorn in the side for Murphy, often leaving the youngster with plenty of work to do in the opening laps.
Nonetheless, the Kiwi demonstrated his shrewd racecraft last weekend and patience especially in races of attrition. With four 30-minute races to contend with this weekend, Murphy will have plenty of opportunity to demonstrate why he is capable of challenging for race victories.
