Hugh Barter and Aqil Alibhai Steal Show at FIA-Formula 4 Indian Championship

Hugh Barter and Aqil Alibhai emerged victorious in their respective races during the FIA-Formula 4 Indian Championship. Barter dominated Race-1 from pole position, while Alibhai claimed Race-2 despite starting fourth. Both drivers showcased exceptional talent and skill in a thrilling weekend of racing.

Australian Hugh Barter of Godspeed Kochi and South African Aqil Alibhai of Hyderabad Blackbirds wrote their own scripts to share the day's honours in the FIA-Formula 4 Indian Championship. On Sunday, starting from the pole position, Barter topped Race-1 in typical style, outpacing the field, in another flawless exhibition that underlined his undoubted talent. In contrast, Alibhai, who missed Race-1 due to issues with his car, made ample amends by winning Race-2 after starting fourth on the grid, and, in the process, displaying considerable skill in defensive driving.

Barter, who last weekend had won a race starting last on the grid, was unstoppable while winning the first race that was marred by two Safety Car periods and then a red flag with little over three minutes and a lap left. Meanwhile, Abhay Mohan (Bangalore Speedsters) quietly moved to P4 from P8 and then jumped to third place behind Barter and Ruhaan Alva (Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) as Jaden Pariat (Bangalore Speedsters) retired, bringing out the Safety Car for the third time with about six minutes and a lap left of the race. The proceedings were yet again interrupted by a red flag with about 3:30 plus one lap remaining following an incident.

Unable to complete Qualifying-2 session, Barter started Race-2 from the end of the grid, but in no time, climbed to fifth before tangling with Ruhaan Alva and dropped to eighth. Ahead of them, Alibhai made three spots to take the lead which he defended with aplomb to win from two Indians, Divy Nandan and Jaden Pariat as the race ended behind the Safety Car. Alva finished fourth while Barter came in fifth.

In the FMSCI National Racing Championship, the Dark Don team had a successful weekend as Diljith TS from Thrissur and Bengaluru's Tijil Rao each won a race in the Formula LGB 4 category. Race-1 saw a tight battle between Neython McPherson of Momentum Motorsports and Diljith, with the latter securing a narrow victory. Tijil Rao climbed to third from P8 but couldn't advance due to a red flag stopping the race early. In Race-2, held under lights, Rao overtook Diljith in a fiercely competitive race with two Safety Car periods, securing his second win in the championship.

The results (Provisional):

FIA Formula 4 Indian Championship (25mins + 1 lap) - Race 1: 1. Hugh Barter (Australia, Godspeed Kochi) (19:42.952); 2. Ruhaan Alva (India, Shrachi Rarh Bengal Tigers) (19:50.251); 3. Abhay Mohan (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (20:09.021). Race-2: 1. Aqil Alibhai (South Africa, Blackbirds Hyderabad) (30:03.445); 2. Divy Nandan (India, Ahmedabad Apex Racers) (30:03.704); 3. Jaden Pariat (India, Bangalore Speedsters) (30:04.413).

JK Tyre-FMSCI National Racing Championship (Formula LGB 4) - Race-1 (5 laps): 1. Diljith TS (Thrissur, Dark Don Racing) (11:48.827); 2. Neythan McPherson (Pune, Momentum Motorsports) (11:48.973); 3. Tijil Rao (Bengaluru, Dark Don Racing) (11:50.800). Rookie: 1. McPherson (11:48.973); 2. Abhay Mohan (Bengaluru, MSPORT) (11:53.785); 3. Ashok Lal (Bengaluru, Avalanche Racing) (12:01.039). Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Tiljil Rao (27:03.653); 2. Diljith TS (27:03.964); 3. Neythan McPherson (27:04.402). Rookie: 1. McPherson (27:04.402); 2. Abhay Mo.

(With inputs from agencies.)