Yahoo Autos Stati wins in F4 U.S. as Ligier JS F422 debuts at Road America
Nicolas Stati (No. 15 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) cruised to victory in Formula 4 United States Championship’s (F4 U.S.) Race 1 at Road America on Saturday afternoon. The race marked the debut of the new Ligier JS F422 chassis with its Ligier Storm powerhouse, and served as the season opener for the 2024 F4 U.S. season.
In a race that stayed green from flag to flag, Stati cruised to victory after bringing the field to the green flag in a rolling start. In qualifying, the top-four drivers were only separated by 0.637s, and the race battle started out just as tight, with drivers racing two- and three-wide toward the first turn. While working the first lap, Alex Crosbie (No. 41 Crosslink Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) spun off the exit of Turn 6, dropping him from the third position.
Pablo Benites Jr. (No. 44 Scuderia Buell Ligier JS F422) had rolled off fifth, but was able to capitalize on the opportunity to move up to third by the completion of the first lap. Stati pulled away, as Benites Jr. looked to apply pressure to second-place runner Daniel Quimby (No. 24 Cruise America / MIR Raceline / FIJI Airways / GalvanizeIns Ligier JS F422). With the two racing side by side, Connor Roberts (No. 46 ApexSpeed.com / Entrophy Cellars Ligier JS F422) was able to close in, making a three-way battle for second.
With Benites Jr. dropping two tires off the racing surface on the exit of Turn 12, Quimby drove away, and Roberts pulled on the gearbox of Benites Jr.’s No. 44. Roberts pulled next to Benites Jr. as they raced down the frontstretch, completed the pass as they entered Turn 1 and never looked back. With the clock ticking down, Stati, Quimby and Roberts all marched forward, eventually taking the checkered flag in that order.
“It was a great race,” said Stati “I controlled the race from the beginning—the car was great, and I was able to maintain the lead with a stable gap. I really like this Ligier JS F422 car. It’s more stable to drive and easier to maintain quick lap times than some of the other cars I’ve driven in championships around the world. The engine sounds really cool. It’s just a lovely car to drive.”
F4 U.S. will take on the 14 turns of Road America for Race 2 Sunday morning at 10:25 a.m. CT. A live feed from the Road America Jumbotron will be available at YouTube.com/SpeedTourTV.
