Smyth: “All I want is to finish first”

Douglas Motorsport’s Jason Smyth is flying high in the GB4 standings heading to Oulton Park on 23/25 May, thanks to a string of top-five finishes at the Silverstone season opener.

The Irishman banked fifth, third and fourth places in the three races at the British Grand Prix venue, in his first slicks and wings event following his Formula Ford graduation.

With a strong showing now in the books, the Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy winner is aiming for even higher results going forward.

“It’s not too bad but I was a bit disappointed with the last race at Silverstone,” he said. “I should have had fourth [on the road] which would have been third but it was a pretty good weekend and I’m delighted to be P3 in the championship.

“It was nice to get a podium over and done with early, and now we need to go for the top step. I can be happy with finishing third but all I want is to finish first.”

Smyth has outlined qualifying improvements as the key to unlocking race winning opportunities. He started sixth and fifth on the grid for the opening two races following his qualifying efforts, but reckons he has the speed to be starting at the front.

“We know we’ve got the pace, I should have done a time for pole by a tenth. But most of it is getting used to the new tyres, the pace is really good, but just getting the best out of the new is where I’m struggling a little bit.

“I know it’s there and every weekend we’re going to get stronger and stronger.”

In addition to his major festival honours last year, Smyth won 10 of the 12 United Formula Ford Championship races last year, as he stormed to the title. Not taking a victory at Silverstone was therefore a change from the norm, but he’s determined to regain that feeling with the teams championship-leading Douglas Motorsport squad.

“I’ve got the slicks and aero nailed now, and all the high speed stuff I was struggling on. I know as the year progresses I will be on it, and we were best just scoring big points at Silverstone and getting used to it. I know we’ll come back stronger and stronger.”

He’s now gearing up for the next triple header at Oulton Park, where he’s aiming to make that hoped for qualifying improvement count.

“In these cars, the biggest thing is quali, we showed good pace at Oulton Park in testing, so I’m expecting good things there.

“I need to keep my head down, qualifying is the main thing, because Oulton Park is so tight and you’re better off starting at the front. We’ll see what happens and keep on working.”