Trans-Tasman sweep for Sharp and Lisle in British Formula 4 opener
Trans-Tasman drivers Louis Sharp and Noah Lisle dominated the opening round of the 2023 British Formula 4 Championship at Donington Park.
The Aussie and Kiwi young guns shared all three wins on offer in tricky wet conditions at the famous and fast circuit.
Sharp emerged as the most consistent with two wins, including a last-to-first reverse grid triumph on Sunday putting him ahead of Race 3 winner Lisle in the championship standings by eight points.
Other Australians Patrick Heuzenroeder and James Piszcyk also got their campaigns underway by collecting points.
Piszcyk finished 10th in his Hitech debut before dropping back to 14th and 18th in the Sunday races.
Having just missed out on points in the first two sprints, Heuzenroeder broke through with a solid P7 in the final race.
After Sharp and Lisle finished 1-2 for Carlin in the opening race, their dominance was under threat in race 2, which was a reverse grid affair.
However, a back of the grid start was not enough to stop Sharp from charging through the field and scoring an impressive win.
Kiwi Louis Sharp celebrates his last to first win at Donington Park. Image: Carlin
The Kiwi started 20th and had to contend with a mid-race Safety Car on a damp track, but hit the lead by Lap 11 and held on to cross the line 11 seconds ahead of Brit Aiden Neate.
Sharp admitted he even surprised himself by scoring the last-to-first win.
“Going into race two, the goal was just to make up as many places as possible,” he said.
“I knew the wet conditions could work in our favour. However, I didn’t expect to make up 19 places and come away with another win!
“It was one of the craziest races I’ve ever done and in the early stages I couldn’t see a thing with the spray.
“I just had to keep my nose clean and pick up places when I could, and it was insane to hit the front after the restart and bring it home.”
Kiwi Louis Sharp and Aussie Noah Lisle charge into Turn 1 at Donington Park side by side in the opening round of the British F4 championship.
Lisle had a tough race and could only manage 17th, but bounced back superbly by storming to victory in a wet final race.
Sharp’s hopes of victory took a big hit as early as Turn 1 where he locked up and took a journey through the gravel.
The Kiwi dropped back to 18th, but eventually fought back to sixth.
Up front, Lisle had taken control having seen off Carlin teammate Sharp at the first corner and never let go.
The Aussie mastered the heavily wet conditions to cruise to an impressive 13.5s win over Dion Gowda.
Trans-Tasman and inter-team Carlin rivals Sharp and Lisle will resume their rivalry at round 2 on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit on May 6-7.
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