Motorsport UK is pleased to announce seven of the world’s top single-seater teams to be racing in the F4 British Championship certified by FIA in 2022. Entries from Argenti Motorsport, Carlin, Chris Dittmann Racing, Fortec, Hitech Grand Prix, JHR and Virtuosi Racing are among the first to be confirmed on next year’s grid.
With the brand-new Gen2 Tatuus chassis, complete with FIA-mandated safety halo and 180hp Abarth engine, tuned by specialists NBE to ensure equivalency, British F4 is the destination for those wishing to embark on the established and globally recognised elite pathway to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Formula 4 has an unrivalled reputation as the first rung on the ladder for drivers entering the world of single-seater racing. With seven of the ten Formula 1 teams, plus several of the leading Formula E and Sportscar operations based in the UK, British F4 is the ideal series for young stars of the future to attract the attentions of the top teams on the lookout for the next generation of motorsport talent. In addition, British F4 is open to 15-year-olds and the first UK championship to include enhanced safety protection advancements.
Phinsys by Argenti driver Matias Zagazeta is currently leading the 2021 British F4 driver standings, while the squad are currently third in the Teams Cup. Team director Michael Meadows is relishing the chance to return to the F4 grid next year with the Gen2 Tatuus chassis.
“We’re all looking forward to the new car and especially as it’s been updated with the halo safety protection feature,” said Argenti Motorsport director Michael Meadows. “And for us in particular with our team also operating in karting, we can develop relationships with drivers to help them build on their experience and help elevate them through the motorsport pyramid.”
Trevor Carlin’s eponymous team is one of the most famous junior formula operations in the world. Since 1999, the outfit has seen 26 future Formula 1 stars come through its doors in junior single-seater categories, which have included current F1 racers Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz. In 2015, Lando Norris won the British F4 title before graduating with the team through F3 and into F2.
“We’re delighted to be part of the F4 British Championship again in 2022. The championship is the first step for young drivers on the single-seater career path and provides invaluable experience on the UK’s incredible circuits,” said team principal Trevor Carlin.
“The new car will make the F4 British Championship even more relevant than before with not only increased performance and safety, but also putting Britain on a level playing field with other F4 Championships. We’re excited to get our hands on the new cars and start working with the next generation of rising talent.”
The expansion of Chris Dittmann Racing into British F4 is a significant development for the Tewkesbury outfit which was formed in 2010.
“Chris Dittmann Racing has grown into one of the leading single-seater teams in the UK, but for us to progress further, we needed to expand our interests and British F4 gives us that opportunity,” says team boss Chris Dittmann.
“It will allow us to work with younger drivers on a very high-profile package, and also gives us the chance to build a ladder of progression within our own team. We have vast experience of the Tatuus chassis and know we can get up to speed very quickly. Having won races in every category we’ve competed in, we expect to do just the same in F4.”
Fortec Motorsport have been continuously involved in the UK’s Formula 4 series since 2015, claiming 34 race victories, 68 podium finishes and the 2020 Drivers’ title courtesy of Luke Browning – their first in the category.
Team principal Richard Dutton, a renowned name in junior single seaters over the past three decades, underlined his faith in the championship’s new direction for 2022 and looks forward to bringing through the team’s next wave of rising stars.
“We’re pleased to confirm our commitment to the F4 British Championship going forward, in its new guise from 2022. As with any new car-engine combination, it’s important to do plenty of due diligence before committing,” said Richard Dutton. “Having considered the options on the market, we’ve decided to continue our involvement with the series, which dates back several years now and has brought us plenty of success in the past.”
“To be among the first to receive the new car will also give our in-house engineering team plenty of time to get on top of everything and ensures we can start testing drivers for next season in the near future,” added Dutton.
The inclusion of Hitech Grand Prix in British F4 next season will enable the Silverstone-based team to run cars at every level of the FIA’s single-seater ladder as an F4 entry in 2022 complements Hitech’s race winning FIA Formula 3 and FIA Formula 2 programmes.
“This is a natural step for us to be able to offer drivers to remain with Hitech from their first steps in karting, all the way through the ranks with us through F3, F2 and into Formula 1,” said Hitech director Oliver Oakes.
“Over the years we have had tie-ups with different F4 outfits, but it made sense with the new Gen2 rules coming for next season to finally build up the programme ourselves internally.”
JHR Developments will continue their presence in British F4 next season, maintaining their unbroken run in the TOCA support package. JHR were formed in 1995 and this season the Derbyshire-based team are battling for overall honours with Matthew Rees currently second in the standings.
“We have been competing in British Formula 4 since its inception and have been regularly winning in the past couple of years, so it is a natural progression for us to continue with the new car,” said JHR Developments team principal Steven Hunter. “It’s great news the championship is remaining on the TOCA support package, with crowds of up to 50,000 at some races and live TV coverage. British F4 is the perfect entry level series for drivers on their first step into motorsport.”
Virtuosi Racing are one of the most successful teams currently racing in the FIA Formula 2 Championship and British F4 will be the second series added to their roster in 2022. Run from Norfolk by Andy Roche and Paul Devlin, in the past three seasons Virtuosi Racing have taken a dozen victories in F2 and set their sights on scoring more wins in British Formula 4 next year.
“The team’s decision to expand into another Championship is years in the making, with British F4 pinpointed as the ideal starting point for us to take on and develop the best young drivers around, by bringing them into the Virtuosi family and helping them to climb the FIA motorsport ladder,” said Virtuosi Racing’s Andy Roche.
“British F4’s upcoming overhaul provides the ideal time to join, with a number of key changes set to level the playing field, alongside a fleet of high-calibre teams joining that we believe will make it the premier championship of its level in Europe.”
With the new-look F4 British Championship certified by FIA awarding 12 Super Licence points to the overall winner, it will ensure the UK continues to lead the way for future champions seeking to progress up the globally-recognised FIA single-seater ladder.
The 2022 calendar will include 30 races over 10 weekends as part of the British Touring Car Championship TOCA package, which will allow the teams and drivers the boost of high-profile events in front of large crowds all across the UK as well as live television coverage on the ITV network.
Motorsport UK will organise the F4 British Championship for the next three years and will work closely with stakeholders and Young Driver Academies within the motorsport industry and in Formula 1 to ensure entrants have real prospects for progression in the sport and into higher-level international series.
