– Swedish rookie takes victory at GB4 Championship opener
– Fortec racer battles back to clinch last-lap win at Oulton Park
Swedish rookie Linus Granfors launched himself onto the British single-seater arena with an instant victory at the opening round of the GB4 Championship at Oulton Park on Easter weekend.
16-year-old Granfors performed an unlikely triumph in the third and final race of the curtain-raising meeting on Monday evening, battling back to victory despite being spun around on the opening lap – making a race-winning move for the lead on the final tour.
The effort marks the first-ever win for a Swedish driver in GB4, which is positioned one step below Britain’s top-tier GB3 Championship – where Linus’ older brother Joel finished as runner-up in 2022. Like his brother before him, Linus Granfors is racing for Fortec Motorsports, continuing a family story with a fresh dose of success this weekend.
“It’s fantastic to come here to the UK and win on my first weekend in the championship,” says Linus Granfors. “It’s been a lot to learn, but I have to thank the team for understanding what I need from a car to be comfortable out on track. We only had one day of testing together before coming here, but we took it step by step and in the end we managed to win the final race. I’m super happy, and super proud of all of us.”
Granfors entered the opening round of the GB4 campaign with minimal preparations, having spent just a single day in the car at Silverstone a week prior. The young Swede was not helped by the typical British weather, with plenty of rain affecting the practice sessions and leaving him with very little dry running heading into qualifying and the races.
Despite that, Granfors swiftly proved his pace in the first race, lapping less than a tenth shy of the fastest lap. After stalling at the start, however, he had to make do with seventh place at the flag, which was then followed up with a P4 result in a rain-affected Race 2 before clinching victory in the Race 3 finale.
”Linus’ first weekend with us ended with a win, which I think says it all,” says Ollie Dutton, Fortec Motorsports team principal. ”We knew his potential going in and he duly delivered on that promise. It’s extra impressive when you consider he didn’t do any of the pre-season tests here; this was his first time ever at this track. It’s a great start and it goes to show what can be achieved if you work efficiently together.”
Linus Granfors leaves the Easter weekend opener sitting second in the overall GB4 standings, behind early leader Harry Burgoyne (GBR).
GB4 Championship
Rd. 1 – Oulton Park (GBR)
RESULTS: www.gb-4.net
