The next stop in the British F4 Championship takes Martin Molnár and the rest of the field to Thruxton, to the fastest circuit on the calendar. Hungarian driver, racing for Virtuosi Racing, arrives sitting second in the overall standings and is eyeing his first race win of the season.
Following race weekends at Donington, Silverstone and Snetterton, the championship now shifts to the high-speed sweeps of Thruxton, located in Hampshire, around 50 kilometers from Southampton. Known for its blistering pace, Thruxton is a former World War II airfield that played a key role in the Normandy landings before hosting motorcycle races from 1950, followed shortly by car racing.
At 3.793 kilometers in length, Thruxton is defined by its flat-out nature, with only two significant braking zones around the entire lap. It’s here that drivers hit the highest average and top speeds of the season – with peak velocities reaching up to 240 km/h.
Martin heads into the fourth round of the season just 9 points adrift of the championship leader, having scored podium finishes at every event so far. The Hungarian Motorsport Academy-backed driver is determined to maintain that consistency and hopefully break through for his maiden win.
“Our pace during the test here was strong – we were up there with the frontrunners,” said the Virtuosi Racing driver. “Slipstreaming will be absolutely crucial this weekend. Without it, you’re going to struggle to stay competitive. Looking at the layout, it might seem like a simple track, but the high-speed nature and the importance of the tow make it anything but boring. Hopefully, we can put together a strong weekend. My goal is obviously to get the best result possible – and I’d love to take my first race win. I believe it can happen here.”
While Thruxton offers plenty of opportunities for close battles, it also poses unique challenges that don’t immediately appear obvious from its layout. The circuit’s two braking zones are particularly demanding, as drivers have to slow the car while turning – a real test of skill and precision. The abrasive surface can also punish even minor lock-ups, with major consequences for tyre wear and overall race pace.
And for an extra twist, Thruxton’s active airfield sits right in the middle of the circuit, meaning that aircraft occasionally take off and land directly over the drivers’ heads – adding yet another element of drama to an already thrilling venue.
The schedule of the Thruxton weekend (GMT+1):
Saturday
09.00 – 09.25: Qualifying
12.55 – 13.15: Race 1
16.15 – 16.35: Race 2
Sunday
13.40 – 14.05: Race 3
