Tag: F4 British Championship

Preparations for the 2022 ROKit F4 British Championship certified by FIA continued this week as the single seater series held its official Season Launch at the Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone.

Taking centre stage around the National circuit, teams and drivers had the opportunity to meet the media, showcase their liveries and take part in nearly six hours of testing ahead of the Donington Park curtain-raiser later this month. 

The 2022 campaign is one of change Britain’s FIA Formula 4 category with new organisers in Motorsport UK, the introduction of a new chassis, engine and tyre providers and a whole host of prizes that have been designed to create a pathway for drivers within the sport.

Many of Europe’s leading teams have entered the championship for this season including Virtuosi Racing, Hitech GP and Chris Dittmann Racing, who have joined Carlin, Phinsys by Argenti and JHR Developments – who set the pace on during Tuesday testing.

Joseph Loake, who enters his second season with the team, ended up setting a benchmark time of 54.032 seconds to claim the early bragging rights ahead of team-mate and fellow sophomore racer Georgi Dimitrov. 

Carlin and McLaren F1 Junior Ugo Ugochukwu ended the day third fastest whilst the Argenti duo of Aiden Neate and Mercedes F1 Junior Daniel Guinchard, who rounded out the top five.

Filling the remainder of the top ten was Williams F1 Junior Oliver Gray, Eduardo Coseteng, Louis Sharp, Michael Shin and Noah Lisle.

Less than three weeks now remain until the 2022 ROKiT British F4 season begins in front of a capacity trackside audience and ITV4’s television cameras at Donington Park.

Preparations for the upcoming ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA season have continued to ramp up with Virtuosi Racing becoming the first team to hit the track in the UK with the new-for-2022 second-generation car.

Completing a full day’s running at Brands Hatch on Wednesday (January 26), the Norfolk-based team put the new Tatuus T-421, it’s new Abarth powertrain and the Pirelli control tyres it runs on through its paces around the Indy circuit. 

Behind the wheel was the team’s first signing for the 2022 season, Edward Pearson, and he wasted no time in getting up to speed.

“It’s fantastic to be able to get my first laps in the car ticked off. Today was all about bedding everything in, checking the car over and getting myself up to speed as a driver,” said the 15-year-old single-seater graduate.

“We started off cautiously and then gradually built it up and by the end of the day, we were posting good lap times. It’s my first test in the car and with the team, so very much just a case of establishing the foundations for the winter ahead.

“The car itself is a lot of fun to drive, and obviously quite different to what I’m used to racing in Ginetta Juniors. I’m looking forward to the next opportunity to get back behind the wheel already.”

Virtuosi Team Manager Mark Salmon was also left satisfied with the maiden running of the new car, heaping plenty of praise onto it.

“For the first test, we have to be very happy with how today has gone. Our engineering team has plenty of data to go away and crunch some numbers, and for Edward, we’ve started to build up his mileage in the car before the season starts,” he explained.

“The car itself is fantastic for this level. Today was our first run out with it, and it’s gone flawlessly, which really gives us the confidence to start pushing the limits straight out of the box. I have a feeling the championship is going to have quite a few people talking this season.”

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK added: “It’s fantastic to see our teams begin their winter testing programmes, and I’m sure with a brand new car, engine package and tyre to get their heads around, things will be flat out between now and the start of the season.

“Both Edward and Virtuosi are very enthusiastic following the test, so it’s clear to see the new Tatuus T-421 has made quite an impression in such a short space of time. We wish all the teams the best with their pre-season preparations and look forward to the opening rounds at Donington Park in just twelve weeks’ time.”

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA is poised to enter a new era next year, with 2022 marking a dramatic shift for the internationally renowned entry-level category for the stars of tomorrow.

Now organised by Motorsport UK, the governing body and membership organisation for UK motorsport, Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series will reach new heights as it ushers in a wave of new changes. 

One major change will see adoption of the hugely successful Tatuus-Abarth chassis and engine combination which features a number of notable safety advancements, including the Halo cockpit protection device and strengthened side anti-intrusion panels. Further safety features such as TOCA’s on-board signalling systems will also be included on the 2022 car as well. 

The introduction of Pirelli as the category’s tyre supplier will bring the championship in line with its contemporaries around Europe, as well as the rest of the FIA Single-Seater Pathway.

In addition to the 12 FIA Super License points that are up for grabs, the 2022 Champion will receive a funded test in a Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine challenger courtesy of Pirelli.

They will also receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go behind the scenes at a Formula 1 Grand Prix with McLaren, giving them an in-depth insight into life at the sport’s top table.

British F4 has also named ROKiT as its new title sponsor for the forthcoming campaign and they have announced a brand-new Racing Star programme to support two future talents.

The scheme will select 32 participants aged either 14 or 15 years old through the sport’s ever-growing eSports scene, with a further shootout held on state-of-the-art simulators to determine which two drivers – one boy and one girl – will be awarded a fully-funded seat in British F4 for the 2023 season with the FIA Racing Star team, underpinned by Hitech GP.

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, said: “This is a really significant moment as the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA continues to build towards what will be a ground-breaking year in 2022.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to have everybody together to get an exclusive first-look at the new car in the UK, and also to unveil some of the exciting commercial ties we’ve forged to help enrich the experience for drivers competing in the championship.

“As the entry-level step on the single-seater ladder, it’s absolutely crucial we put together a platform that gives competitors the best opportunity to make meaningful progress through the ranks. Many of these drivers will be aiming for Formula 1, so giving them a championship that allows them to start gathering relevant experience from their first laps in the car is a key element of what we’re building.

“Our vision has always been to grow and develop the series into a global leader, and to kick things off with partnerships alongside the likes of ROKiT, McLaren and Pirelli really gives us a solid grounding on which to build and unveil further incentives in the near future. It also highlights how seriously British F4 is regarded at the highest echelons of the sport.

“We understand that teams are already attracting heavy interest for seats, which is extremely encouraging, and all the signs at this stage points towards a healthy grid to kick off the championship’s new era in 2022.”

The British Automobile Racing Club is delighted to announce that it has been selected as the organised club for the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA for 2022 and beyond.

Appointed by Motorsport UK, the BARC will act as the lead club local organiser for the championship and its related events, including collaborating with the UK governing body on elements of the series’ organisation. 

The Club currently fulfils a similar role for the rest of the high-profile British Touring Car Championship package on which ROKiT British F4 sits, making it an ideal partnership founded on years of relevant experience and expertise. 

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, said: “Motorsport UK is pleased to confirm the BARC as the local club organiser for the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA.

“Having a strong organising team off-circuit creates a positive, enjoyable environment for competitors on track, and in a season where much will be different as the series embarks on a new era, their wealth of experience will be a valuable resource for the series to draw upon.

“Our vision has always been to develop the championship into a global leader and the appointment of the BARC is another important step on that journey.”

Ben Taylor, BARC Chief Executive, added: “We are delighted that the BARC has been selected by Motorsport UK as the lead club for the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA.

“It is the most prestigious single-seater championship in the country, and we are proud that the governing body has entrusted its new operation into the hands of the UK’s oldest racing club.

“The championship will form part of the high profile TOCA package which is the jewel in the crown of the BARC’s operations and provides the perfect platform for these young drivers to develop their skills as potential stars of the future.”

To find out more information on the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA, head to https://www.fiaformula4.com/.