The 2023 season has been somewhat of a rollercoaster for the ROKiT Racing Stars winner Deagen Fairclough, the single-seater rookie currently sitting fourth in the standings despite not taking a win. Though not the most important stat, every other driver inside the top eight has at least two wins and Aqil Alibhai in ninth place has one. Despite the evident highs, the opening season has had its fair share of learning moments.

By Gerren Scapens

As we get closer to the final three rounds of the season, it is the time of year when people start to reflect. Fairclough has had to acclimate fast to the single-seater world, an incredibly difficult feat. Over the season, the JHR Developments driver has amassed 11 penalty points, highlighting the difficulties with debuting in such a competitive championship. These penalty points are incredibly detrimental, as accumulating too many can result in points deductions.

This makes Fairclough’s debut season incredibly interesting. Having zero wins to his name and 18 points deducted in the championship, the young Brit still sits fourth overall. Without penalty points, Fairclough would currently sit third on points alone. The pace is there, but the ROKiT Stars winner knows he is still learning.

“It’s not too bad of a start, but obviously I wish I could go back and change the mistakes we’ve had,” Fairclough told Feeder Series at Croft. “Obviously, it’s been a learning year this year, and obviously the help that I’ve had from ROKiT and everyone else, Racing Stars, it’s helped out massively to get me to this point. 

“To be fighting for a top-three in the championship is great, and obviously I’m hoping this second half of the season goes the way I want it. Obviously, having those penalty points has put us back a bit in the championship, and yeah, it’s been a massive learning curve.

“Yeah, so I’m looking forward to how this second half goes. Obviously, Croft this weekend. I really like Croft, and Knockhill next, which I can’t wait for.”

With three rounds remaining with three races each, plus a fourth at Donington GP for the rescheduled Snetterton race, 263 points remain on offer. If Macintyre or Louis Sharp, who sits six points behind in second, continue on their current form, they will finish the season with around 360 points. If this is the case, Fairclough would need 185 of the remaining 263 points available. A huge task for sure, but when asked if he could fight the two up front, Fairclough was quietly confident he has the pace in the car. 

“Maybe. Well, I definitely can push the car quite to its limit, and the racing has just been fantastic. It’s insanely close to just qualify, just a tenth moves you up an extra five positions, so being that close is just insane. 

“It brings some good racing, especially in the reverse grid, even Saturday in the reverse grid it was just insane. I was just holding my breath for the whole race, I can’t wait how this second half can go.”

Header photo credit: British F4