Deagen Fairclough has clinched the 2024 ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by the FIA at Silverstone today, in the 25th race of the season
He becomes the tenth champion in British F4’s history.
The Hitech Pulse-Eight driver secured victory in today’s first race of the weekend at Silverstone’s National circuit layout, allowing him a sufficient points gap over second place in the standings to become this season’s provisional champion.
His first victory of the season came at the first race of the season at Donington Park in April, quickly asserting control of the championship standings from that point onward. From there Fairclough went on to collect victories at Brands Hatch, Thruxton, Silverstone GP, Zandvoort, Knockhill and Donington Park GP. His consistent performances saw him never far from the podium, visiting the top step eleven times and a further eight in second and third.
His eleven in-season race wins sees him match 2022 champion Alex Dunne, however with five more races of the season to play out Deagen could well set new records for the championship.
Throughout the year he’s secured 15 Motul Fastest Laps and today claimed his sixth C1RCUIT Watches Pole Position Award at Round 9 of the ROKiT British F4 Championship season.
When asked how he was feeling directly after the race, it was nothing but gratitude that he expressed, “I’m over the moon. I’m so, so grateful to everyone here for the support all season. The team have worked so hard and it all goes to them. I’m honestly so grateful and really happy to win this championship a round early.”
It was the ROKiT Rising Star e-sports competition that allowed Fairclough the opportunity to race in the British F4 Championship. The competition launched in 2022 with the aim of finding a young sim racer to driver in a fully funded entry in the championship.
“It’s been a fantastic way to get into British F4, and this one also out goes to ROKiT as well” said Deagen. “Without them I wouldn’t be in British F4 or standing here today. A huge shoutout to them, and hopefully this championship is one of many.
This means so much to my family. I’ve been racing since I was five years old, just me, my Mum and my Dad. We were scraping every penny together to go and have some fun and pursue my career. Without them, I don’t know where I’d be… We’ve come a long way as a family, with a lot of difficulties. Everyone knows how hard racing is financially and the simulator racing competition came along at the right time.
“I actually struggled to sleep last night because I was so full of excitement, planning every single scenario with what could happen during the race or qualifying. The good and the bad, and everything has aligned today.”The fight for the C1rcuit Watches Pole award was fiercely fought with several drivers climbing to the top of the timing sheet. In the end, only a tenth of a second separated Fairclough from Rodin Motorsport’s drivers James Higgins and Alex Ninovic in the top three.
Securing Pole for the first race of the weekend, Fairclough lined up alongside James Higgins on the front row. Jack Sherwood (Rodin Motorsport) and Alex Ninovic shared the second row, with Zack Scoular (Xcel Motorsport) and Phinsys by Argenti’s Rowan Campbell-Pilling in sixth.
Just minutes before the race formation lap, parts of the circuit experienced a brief downpour adding additional element of jeopardy.
Fairclough maintained his first place off the line, with Alex Ninovic getting the jump over his Rodin Motorsport teammates James Higgins and Jack Sherwood from fourth. The top four were embroiled in an early battle, however it appeared to be Sherwood showing early pace, setting quicker lap times.
Zack Scoular joined the fray in fifth, while the Rodin Motorsport trio were three abreast fighting for the podium spots. A move around the outside of Ninovic put Higgins up into second and brought Scoular, Rowan Campbell-Pilling (Phinsy by Argenti), Reza Seewooruthun (Hitech Pulse-Eight) and Gustav Jonsson (Chris Dittmann Racing) into the mix. It was at this point Scoular and Ninovic were both forced into the pits with damage.
With 13 minutes on the clock, Deagan Fairclough had established a comfortable lead of a second over the field. Higgins, Sherwood and Seewooruthun found themselves battling both track position and simultaneously fighting for third in the championship standings.
Reza Seewooruthun took his chance and made a move on Sherwood around the outside of Brooklands which secured the final spot on the podium; a great effort having started from 10th on the grid.
Deagen Fairclough crossed the line to claim an emotional win and the title ahead of James Higgins in second with Reza Seewooruthun in third. Jack Sherwood finished fourth, with Gustav Jonsson rounding out the top five.
Rowan Campbell-Pilling was the first Rookie home, followed by Phinsys by Argenti teammate Matus Ryba in second and Martin Molnar (Virtuosi Racing) in third.
JHR Developments’, Harri Reynolds was the best of the series newcomers finishing 7th on his championship debut.
Alex Ninovic set the Motul Fastest Lap of the day earning himself an extra championship point.
Races two and three of the ROKiT British F4 Championship at Silverstone National are scheduled to take place at 0925 hrs and 1305 hrs with Race three forming part of ITV4’s coverage which commences at 1045 hrs.