F4 British Championship Thriller: Al Azhari and Campbell-Pilling Dominate Knockhill Weekend

The Scottish sun blazed over Knockhill Circuit as the F4 British Championship delivered heart-stopping drama, with Adam Al Azhari and Rowan Campbell-Pilling searing their names into the record books. In a weekend punctuated by daring overtakes, safety car interventions, and a championship-altering clash, the UK’s premier single-seater series proved why it remains a crucible for future Formula 1 talent.

What Defined the F4 British Championship’s Knockhill Showdown?

The reverse-grid Race 2 saw Al Azhari (Rodin Motorsport) snap a victory drought with a textbook launch from P2, outdragging pole-sitter August Raber (Argenti Motorsport) into Turn 1. A multi-car collision at McIntyre’s immediately triggered a safety car, but the Emirati ace held firm after the restart. Chris Dittmann Racing’s Tommy Harfield electrified crowds with late-braking moves to claim second and the Challenge Cup honors, while Raber fended off Xcel Motorsport’s Chase Fernandez for third.

The Feature Race descended into chaos when title rivals Fionn McLaughlin (Hitech TGR) and Martin Molnár (Virtuosi Racing) collided at the hairpin while battling for third. McLaughlin retired on the spot, while Molnár tumbled out of the points. JHR Developments’ Campbell-Pilling capitalized, converting pole into his maiden 2025 win after two safety car periods. Hitech’s Thomas Bearman took second, while Fortec’s Ary Bansal inherited third amid the carnage.

british f4 safety car

Key Takeaways from the Scottish Battle

• Al Azhari’s Resurgence: His first win since Donington Park showcased racecraft matured through adversity.
• Campbell-Pilling’s Redemption: The Feature Race victory erased Saturday’s penalty heartbreak.
• Title Race Upheaval: McLaughlin retains the lead despite DNF, but Molnár’s error cost him critical points.
• Rookie Watch: Theo Palmer (Xcel Motorsport) impressed with top-ten finishes in both races.

Championship Implications Post-Knockhill

McLaughlin clings to a narrowed Drivers’ Championship lead, while Hitech TGR still tops the Teams’ standings. Harfield’s consistency (4 podiums this year) solidifies his Challenge Cup dominance. Campbell-Pilling’s Hardest Charger Award—earned via cumulative finishes—nets JHR Developments Pirelli tires for testing. The series now shifts to Donington Park’s Grand Prix circuit (August 30–31), where tyre strategy and high-speed curves could reshuffle the title deck.

The F4 British Championship’s Knockhill chapter was a masterclass in resilience and rivalry. With McLaughlin and Molnár’s explosive duel underscoring the high stakes, the title fight now hinges on damage control at Donington. For young guns like Al Azhari and Campbell-Pilling, this weekend proved triumph blooms from turmoil—a lesson every future champion must learn.

Must Know

Q: Who leads the F4 British Championship after Knockhill?
A: Hitech TGR’s Fionn McLaughlin retains the Drivers’ lead despite a DNF in Race 3. Martin Molnár (Virtuosi Racing) failed to score, widening McLaughlin’s advantage. Hitech also tops the Teams’ standings.

Q: How did Rowan Campbell-Pilling win the Feature Race?
A: Campbell-Pilling seized the lead at lights-out from pole-sitter Thomas Bearman. Two safety cars and a red flag (after McLaughlin-Molnár clash) sealed his victory—JHR Developments’ first win this season.

Q: What caused the red flag in Race 3?
A: A collision between title contenders McLaughlin and Molnár at the hairpin stranded McLaughlin’s car. Moments earlier, Ella Lloyd (Rodin Motorsport) beached her car in the chicane gravel, prompting officials to halt the race.

Q: Which driver earned the Pirelli Hardest Charger Award?
A: Rowan Campbell-Pilling received the award for the lowest cumulative finishing positions, granting his team free Pirelli P-Zero tires for testing.

Q: Where does the F4 British Championship race next?
A: Rounds 22–24 head to Donington Park’s Grand Prix circuit on August 30–31, a critical leg for title hopefuls.