There is a lot happening with the CAMS PAYCE Australian Formula 4 Championship this weekend, with a 2018 champion to be decided come Sunday afternoon.
As the championship approaches the final round at Pukekohe Park Raceway, Jayden Ojeda is currently in the box seat to take out the title.
Ojeda will have to battle his AGI Sport teammate Ryan Suhle, who remains the only other driver in contention for the championship.
With 75 points up-for-grabs at a circuit that not one F4 driver has previously competed at, mathematically the result could be awarded after the first race on Saturday.
Jayden Ojeda: 344 points
A 51-points cushion over Suhle makes Ojeda the clear favourite for the title and the championship leader can seal it by Saturday, pending on where Suhle finishes.
The only way Ojeda can finish without silverware is if he fails to score points in two races that Suhle wins and then finishes behind his teammate in the third race.
The equation is simple for Ojeda, as he just needs to win any race over the weekend and he’ll be the new F4 champion.
Ryan Suhle: 293 points
Suhle is a mathematical chance to win and if in recent months in motor sport are anything to go by, it’s sometimes all you need.
While he will be relying on his teammate suffering the doubtful scenario of failing to score points in two three races, Suhle will focus on his own performance and have to win every race … if he can do that, then he is in with a chance to sneak past Ojeda.
It’s more than likely come Sunday evening, Suhle will be standing on the second step of the podium.
Despite Suhle aiming for first, he could also drop as low as third with only 25 points separating him and third placed Aaron Love, who he’ll need to finish ahead of in at least one of the races.
Aaron Love: 268
The 2018 title is impossible for Love to secure, but a runner-up finish is highly plausible.
The Team BRM pilot will be keeping Suhle on his toes throughout the whole weekend and will need to finish above Suhle in all three races if he is to have a chance at second. In this scenario, Suhle will have to of finished outside the top five in a couple of those races.
Even if he is unable to secure second, Love will still be proud of a podium finish with it impossible for him to drop down to fourth, thanks to a 80 point buffer over Lochie Hughes.
With the two practice sessions done and dusted, Qualifying will take place at 9:30am NZDT before the first of three races begins at 12:30pm tomorrow.
