Carlin’s Oliver Gray is looking ahead with confidence to the second half of the 2022 ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, which resumes at Knockhill, Fife on 29-31 July.
The Williams Racing Academy driver emerged as championship leader Alex Dunne’s new chief rival at Croft last time out, recovering from a trip through the gravel at Clervaux in the ITV4-televised final race to pass two cars for the lead on the outside at Tower corner, and in doing so claimed his first victory of the 2022 season.
That result moved Gray to within 51 points of Hitech GP driver Dunne, with 15 races – and a lot of points – still to play for, starting with the trip to Scotland in a fortnight.
“My mindset is the same as it has been all year,” explains Gray. “I’m taking the season round by round, scoring as many points as I can and performing to the best of my ability every time I go onto the track.
“We have been very strong at Knockhill in testing so I’m looking forward to getting back out there after the summer break!”
Reflecting on the start to his second year in Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series, Gray feels both Carlin and he have found a sweet spot with the new-for-2022 Tatuus T-421, which has enabled him to fight at the front consistently in recent races.
“I’m happy overall with the season so far, the way that the team and I have gelled together has been perfect. This has really helped us to get the car and me to where it needs to be.
“The highlight of the season has to be the win at croft, the mix of emotions throughout the race, losing the lead, then making a trip through the gravel. The move that gave me the win, it was a good feeling!
“The new car has presented new challenges for everyone I think, the stiffness and how the weight distribution has changed has really altered driving styles, set ups and racing conditions. However the car is very enjoyable to drive.”
It hasn’t all been hard work, however, with Gray also taking the opportunity during the five-week shutdown to get some down time before the title run-in from now until the autumn.
“I do have a holiday planned, relaxing and playing golf will be the main things done in the break,” he says. “It’s always good to take a step away from racing and enjoy other things, however I will still be training hard and keeping myself fit for the rest of the season.”
