F4 British Championship – Page 2

BARC TV: What’s On This Weekend – June 17/18

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship reaches the halfway point in the 2023 campaign this weekend (June 17/18) as it speeds into Cheshire for Rounds 13, 14 & 15 around Oulton Park.

Bringing the curtain down on what has been a frenetic first half of the season for the UK’s premier motorsport series, the BTCC is poised to take centre stage on the Island layout for what promises to be an action-packed Sunday.

Joining them on the support bill will be races from the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW, ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA and Hagerty Radical Cup UK.

Below is all the information you’ll need to know to keep up-to-date with all the action that is being broadcast live:

Oulton Park

Saturday 17th June // BTCC Qualifying – 15:30 – WATCH HERE

Sunday 18th June // ITV – 12:00 to 14:00 // ITV4 – 14:00 to 18:15 // ITV Website – WATCH HERE

All-action TOCA support championships star at Brands Hatch

Brands Hatch provided the backdrop to a thrilling two days of TOCA support championship action this past weekend (May 6/7) as four categories served up an abundance of edge-of-the-seat entertainment on the Indy circuit.

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at the Kent venue, a bumper trackside crowd – as well as many more watching on ITV4 – were treated to a feast of thrills and spills in contrasting weather conditions.

One of the undoubted highlights of the weekend proved to be debut of the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM; however it wasn’t to be without its fair share of drama as both Saturday and Sunday’s grand finals were hampered by multi-car accidents.

In the remaining races that did take place, Jack Parker – who was filling in for the injured John Mickel – blasted his way to a brace of wins whilst there were also victories for Will Gibson, Miles Rudman and Robert Barrable.

Three new faces stood on the top step of the podium in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA over the course of the weekend however that didn’t stop Louis Sharp from extending his advantage in the points standings.

The weekend’s opening contest – which took place in damp conditions – saw Kenato Le capitalise on a frantic front-running battle to score victory before Dion Gowda came to the fore to win a much drier race two on Sunday, inheriting the win from Deagen Fairclough who was penalised for gaining an unfair advantage.

Fortec Motorsport’s James Higgins then produced a commanding lights-to-flag victory in the weekend’s third and final contest to vault himself into second in the standings and more importantly, title contention.

Spoils were shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as Robert de Haan and James Kellett claimed a win apiece on Sunday.

In what is proving to be a sensational rookie campaign, Richardson Racing’s de Haan reigned supreme in a pulsating opener and then had looked to have repeated the feat in race two before he was hit with a post-race penalty, which gave Kellett a maiden win in the one-make series.

Rounding out the weekend’s support race action were three high-octane races from the Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW, won by Dan Zelos and Will Orton.

EXCELR8 Motorsport’s Zelos didn’t put a wheel wrong in Saturday’s opener to master the wet conditions and take victory. However, he could do nothing to stop Orton the following day as the Hybrid Tune driver produced a virtuoso display out front to take a brace of race wins.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support sessions at Brands Hatch, CLICK HERE.

Both the Hagerty Radical Cup UK and Porsche Sprint Challenge GB will feature alongside the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA and Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW when the BTCC support bill competes next at Snetterton 300 on May 20/21.

TOCA support package makes a splash at Donington Park curtain-raiser

Donington Park provided the backdrop to a memorable 2023 season-opener for championships competing on the TOCA support bill this past weekend (April 22/23).

Taking centre stage alongside the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship for another season, four all-action categories delighted fans with two blockbuster days of wheel-to-wheel entertainment under the flightpath of East Midlands airport.

Dan Zelos’ pursuit of a second Vertu Motors MINI CHALLENGE JCW title got off to the perfect start as he blasted his way to pole position and two wins.

Embarking on another season in the one-make tin top category, the former champion laid down his marker to the rest of the field with a commanding brace of victories, one in the dry on Saturday and the other in the wet on Sunday morning.

It wasn’t to be a hat-trick for Zelos though as he found himself caught up in a scary accident with Sam Smith that brought out the red flags. The high-speed incident – which took place on the run down to Redgate – saw Zelos walk away unhurt whilst Smith was extricated from the car and transferred to hospital for precautionary checks.

With the race not restarting, Will Orton was declared the winner ahead of Joe Tanner and last year’s MINI CHALLENGE Trophy champion Nelson King.

Louis Sharp put his stamp on the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by the FIA with a near-perfect weekend in the single-seater category. The New Zealander – who was one of the series’ leading lights in 2022 – claimed two impressive victories to grab the early points lead.

After narrowly missing out on pole position, the Rodin Carlin driver took a commanding win in the season-opener before then showcasing his overtaking prowess in a thrilling full reverse grid contest.

Starting 20th, Sharp carved his way through the order to clinch a famous victory before then capping off his weekend with a drive to sixth place as Noah Lisle triumphed in race three.

Spoils were shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB as pre-season favourites Robert De Haan and Adam Smalley claimed a win apiece.

Touted as one’s to watch prior to the new campaign beginning, both drivers produced assertive performances to each stand on the top step of the podium. Joining them on the rostrum across the two races was Gus Burton and Matty Graham.

Concluding the weekend’s action were three races from Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, which had secured a full-time spot on the TOCA for this season after recently making sporadic appearances in previous years.

Second-year racer Toby Trice claimed the early bragging rights as he edged out Joe Warhurst and Steve Roberts in a frenetic opener. Roberts would then prove to be the driver to beat in the remaining two contests as he cruised to victory to establish an early championship lead.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Donington Park, CLICK HERE.

Brands Hatch provides the next step on the calendar for three of the four championships – who’ll also be joined the Legends Cars Elite Cup with JLM – on May 6/7.

Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 Team adds to ROKiT British F4 prize list

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has confirmed that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has added to its prize lift, with the 2023 champion set to be given a simulator experience at the team’s state-of-the-art campus in Brackley.

Following the close of the season later this year, the winner will spend a half-day at the home of the eight-time World Constructors’ Champions undertaking a full session in the Mercedes-AMG F1 simulator – similar to that undertaken by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

After a pre-session briefing, the winner will undertake a full driving programme, receiving feedback and coaching throughout, before completing the day with a post-session debrief.

Designed to provide a clear path to Formula 1, the British F4 now holds official links with three teams competing at the pinnacle of the sport.

In addition to the Mercedes AMG F1 simulator session, the eventual champion will also receive an experience with McLaren Racing at the British Grand Prix and a year-long coaching programme and expert guidance from the BWT Alpine Formula 1 Team.

Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO, said: “On behalf of Motorsport UK and the British F4 Championship I’d like to thank Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 for this generous contribution. We are very much about development of our drivers and this prize is a great step in their career.

“We know that our F4 championship helps to give drivers the skills they need to succeed as evidenced by having three drivers in F1 already and more heading through the ranks of Formula 2 and Formula 3.

“The grid is looking to be very strong this year so it will be interesting to watch the battle for the title. The winner then having the simulator experience and the opportunity to engage with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team is fantastic.”

The 2023 ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA season commences at Donington Park on April 22/23.

ROKiT to continue as F4 British Championship title sponsors

The F4 British Championship certified by FIA has confirmed that ROKiT will continue as its title sponsor for a second successive season.

Joining forces with the single-seater series at the start of 2022, the global conglomerate and start-up incubator played a pivotal role in what proved to be groundbreaking campaign.

In addition to its title rights, ROKiT is also funding funding the ROKiT Racing Star programme that will provide talent, sourced through an esports programme, the opportunity to race in the championship.

Jonathan Kendrick, Chairman and Co-Founder of the ROKiT Group of Companies, said “We’ve been delighted with our first year of being Title Partner of the British F4 Championship and are very pleased to continue our sponsorship of it. Many thanks to all at Motorsport UK who have re-invigorated the Championship and we look forward to an ever bigger and better season ahead.”

Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK Chief Executive, said: “Taking on the organisational and promotional responsibility of the championship was a big challenge for Motorsport UK in 2022 and ROKiT helped us create the new era of British F4. We’re delighted that ROKiT shares our passion for helping develop the racing stars of the future and fulfil their full potential.”

The 2023 ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA commences at Donington Park on April 22/23.

ROKiT British F4 champion to receive coaching from BWT Alpine F1 Team

The 2023 champion of the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA will receive a year-long coaching programme and expert guidance from BWT Alpine Formula 1 ® Team.

Based at the team’s state-of-the-art Alpine Racing Human Performance Centre at Enstone, the programme will last twelve months and will provide the next champion in Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series with the resource and experience of a leading Formula 1 team to support them in their next steps.

Alpine will conduct an initial assessment at the start of the year to produce a structured and tailored development plan, with the focus centred around improving core physical condition and identifying areas of improvement.

The 2023 champion will have regular access to the facilities and expert personnel at the Alpine Racing Human Performance Centre.

Julian Rouse, Academy Director at BWT Alpine F1 Team, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with ROKiT British F4 for 2023 and offer the champion a variety of opportunities we have as a Formula 1 team.

“The facilities and knowledge we have here at BWT Alpine F1 Team is invaluable to an upcoming driver and their next step in their career, and we are eager to be onboard with this journey to promote young talent in grass-root series like British F4.”

“This is a fantastic opportunity for the 2023 champion to receive regular human performance coaching and instruction from a leading Formula 1 team as they take their next steps on the single-seater pathway,” commented Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK Chief Executive Officer.

“The facilities at the Alpine Human Performance Centre are well-equipped to support drivers in their development. We’re thankful to Alpine for supporting ROKiT British F4 and this is another excellent opportunity for our next champion.”

The announcement only strengthens the existing tiers between the single seater series and Formula 1, as Motorsport UK continues to forge meaningful pathways for drivers to progress through the sport.

Three graduates from the championship – Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant – will line up on the Formula 1 grid this year; underlining the springboard British F4 can provide.

McLaren Racing reaffirm commitment to ROKiT British F4

McLaren Racing have confirmed that they will continue to support the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA in 2023, with the eventual champion having the unique opportunity to embed themselves within a Formula 1 team at the 2024 British Grand Prix.

Newly crowned 2022 champion Alex Dunne will be the first recipient of the experience, designed to give drivers an immersive and thorough understanding of Formula 1, at the 2023 British Grand Prix. The prize also includes access to the Woking-based team and industry-leading engineering staff.

With the champion also being given a fully-funded Formula Regional test courtesy of tyre suppliers Pirelli as well as FIA Super Licence points, the championship continues to cement its position as a must-do for drivers with serious aspirations of progressing up the ranks.

Visibility to Formula 1 teams has never been higher in the series with the 2022 campaign seeing three F1 junior drivers feature; Ugo Ugochukwu (McLaren Racing), Daniel Guinchard (Mercedes-AMG) and Oliver Gray (Williams Racing).

Hugh Chambers, Motorsport UK CEO, said: “McLaren Racing’s support of the ROKiT British F4 is greatly valued and offers a unique opportunity for a driver to embed themselves in a team at the top end of the sport.

“Motorsport UK is committed to creating meaningful pathways through the sport for drivers competing in the series. This unique opportunity to gain an insight into what it takes to compete in Formula 1 will be invaluable to the 2023 Champion as they consider their next steps.

“Silverstone is always one of the highlights of the Formula 1 calendar, so it should make for a very enjoyable, as well as instructive, experience. We’ll be watching on with great interest next year as 2022 champion Alex Dunne is the first to receive the prize. Our thanks go to Zak Brown and to McLaren Racing for their continued support of the championship.”

Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO, added: “McLaren Racing is delighted to continue supporting the British F4 Championship by inviting the 2023 champion to join our Formula 1 race team at the British Grand Prix in 2024.

“The series is an excellent platform for young drivers to continue their development as proven by our current Formula 1 line-up of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who both excelled in the single-seater championship.

“We look forward to welcoming 2022 champion Alex Dunne to Silverstone with the team next year.”

Silverstone Grand Prix circuit features on final 2023 ROKiT British F4 calendar

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA will make a first ever visit to the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit next year after revealing its final 2023 calendar.

Continuing to support the British Touring Car Championship at nine of the ten scheduled events next season, the championship will break new ground as the first ever FIA-certified Formula 4 series to hold a race meeting around the full, 3.6-mile Grand Prix layout, held in support of the British Endurance Championship on 23-25 June 2023.

The championship’s usual format – two practice sessions, qualifying and three 20-minute races – will be adhered to, ensuring competitors retain the same 30-race schedule, with plenty of track time to aid their driver development.

Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK, said: “It’s another excellent step forward for ROKiT British F4 to visit the full Grand Prix circuit at Silverstone as part of the 2023 calendar.

“With additional trips to Donington and Brands Hatch’s Grand Prix circuits, as well as the other premier circuits in the UK, the calendar will serve as an excellent learning platform for young drivers.

“We have always placed a great deal of importance on listening and engaging with the paddock, and we know all the teams will be excited by the make-up of the series for next year.”

Titles decided on blockbuster Brands Hatch weekend for TOCA supports

Champions weren’t just crowned in the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship at Brands Hatch this past weekend (October 8/9), as titles were also decided across all five championships that make up the TOCA support bill.

On what was an action-packed finale around the famous Grand Prix circuit, the bumper crowd in attendance were treated to a feast of wheel-to-wheel thrills as the battle for supremacy across each of the one-make categories reached an exciting crescendo.

Kiern Jewiss clinched outright honours in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB with a virtuoso performance. Off the back of a dominant double at Silverstone, the Team Parker Racing driver arrived at the Kent venue with a commanding lead in the points and he did what was required of him to turn it into title glory.

After qualifying on pole position, the former British F4 champion charged to victory in the opening encounter to secure an unassailable leader over his nearest challenger Will Martin, who suffered a scary accident at Paddock Hill Bend. Pro-Am champion Charles Rainford capped off the season with a sensational maiden overall win.

Ginetta’s final appearance on the TOCA package threw up plenty of edge-of-the-seat entertainment as both the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship and Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup titles were settled.

Ahead of their full-time switch to SRO next year, the Yorkshire manufacturer said a fine farewell with six blockbuster races that will undoubtedly live long in the memory.

With confirmation that the GT4 Supercup would cease to exist at the end of the year, James Kellett capped off a sensational season by writing his name into the history books as the last-ever champion of the series.

Having shattered multiple records on course to his coronation, the Century Motorsport driver brought the curtain down on the championship with a superlative display, chalking up a hat-trick of second place finishes.

Tom Emson – who entered the event as the only driver that could stop Kellett from being crowned – cemented his place as vice-champion by notching an impressive pair of race wins. DTO Motorsport’s Aston Miller then went on to clinch the series’ final win in a frenetic third bout.

Elsewhere, Josh Rowledge wrapped up the Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship. Hot on the heels of clinching the Ginetta Junior Winter Series crown last year, the R Racing driver followed in the footsteps of many leading lights by capturing the prestigious junior crown.

After narrowly missing out on sealing the championship last time out at Silverstone, Rowledge stormed to second place in the opening contest to put himself out of reach of nearest rival Will Macintyre.

Fox Motorsport’s Liam McNeilly closed out his final season in the one-make category with a superb double win before Macintyre triumphed in Sunday’s final bout.

Sam Weller came out on top of a five-way battle to be crowned Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW champion. Fourth place in the opening race was good enough for the Hybrid Tune driver to secure an unassailable advantage at the top of the leaderboard.

Saturday belonged to one of the form drivers from the latter half of the season, Alex Denning. Storming to pole position in qualifying, the Graves Motorsport ace converted it into a commanding victory in race one before repeating the feat later in the day. The weekend’s third and final contest saw Sam Smith score victory.

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA crowned Alex Dunne as its new champion; despite the Hitech GP driver electing to miss the season finale to focus on maintaining his title challenge in the Italian F4 series.

In what had been a dominant year, which included no less than 11 victories, the Irishman clinched the crown without turning a wheel. Carlin’s Oliver Gray – who was the only remaining driver that held a mathematical chance of stopping Dunne – was unable to score the required points needed across the weekend’s trio of races.

Joseph Loake and Eduardo Coseteng shared the spoils for the final time this season, capping off what has been a superb year for the series’ new era.

To view the full classification of results from all TOCA support championships, as well as the final standings for each, CLICK HERE.

The Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship and TOCA support package will return in 2023, with the new season scheduled to get underway at Donington Park on April 22/23.

Title battles intensify on action-packed TOCA support package at Silverstone

The battle for supremacy in all five TOCA support championships intensified at Silverstone this past weekend (September 24/25) to set up what promises to be a grandstand season finale at Brands Hatch next month.

In addition to the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship going down to the wire at the famous Kent venue on October 8/9, champions will be celebrated across all one-make categories as the curtain falls on the 2022 season around the Grand Prix circuit.

James Kellett put himself on the cusp of being crowned the last-ever Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup champion after producing another commanding performance, winning two of the four races that took place over the course of the weekend.

Following the news that Ginetta will leave the TOCA package at the end of the season and that the GT4 Supercup will cease to exist after Brands Hatch, the Century Motorsport driver underlined his credentials by strengthening his grip on the coveted title.

Storming to pole position in qualifying, race one saw Kellett suffer mechanical dramas which allowed Tom Emson to triumph but from there the series pace-setter cemented his status as the driver to beat with a fine double. He would however be prevented from securing a hat-trick as Emson chalked up his second win in the finale.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship is all-but wrapped up after Josh Rowledge scored his eighth and ninth victories of the season. Arriving at the Northamptonshire venue in the pound seat, the R Racing teenager was perfection personified as he charged to two wins on Saturday.

Will Macintyre – Rowledge’s chief title rival – ensured that the fight will go all the way to the final event as he scored victory in a chaotic finale. Taking the chequered flag in third, the Elite Motorsport driver was promoted to top step of the podium after penalties were applied to both Sonny Smith and Rowledge.

Thrills and spills dominated the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA and when all was said-and-done, Alex Dunne remained the man to beat. Despite not winning a race, the Hitech GP racer preserved his impressive lead in the standings, albeit at a slight deficit to what he arrived with.

Oliver Gray kept his slender hopes of the clinching the crown alive with a lights-to-flag victory in race three after both Georgi Dimitrov and Louis Sharp had scored a win apiece earlier on.

Five drivers will head to Brands Hatch in contention to lift the coveted Quaife MINI CHALLENGE title. In what was another blockbuster chapter for the tin top series, Sam Weller maintained his advantage out front with a hard-fought victory in the weekend’s final contest.

Before Weller’s win, Alex Denning – who is one of the aforementioned five drivers that find themselves in the thick of the title battle – served up a superlative display behind the wheel to win the first two races of the weekend.

Elsewhere, Kiern Jewiss took a step closer to Porsche Carrera Cup GB glory as he boosted his own championship aspirations with a flawless weekend. After charging to pole position in qualifying, the Team Parker Racing driver extended his points advantage with a superb brace of wins.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Silverstone, CLICK HERE.

ROKiT British F4 announces two-day New Driver Test

The ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA has announced a dedicated New Driver Test at Snetterton on October 27/28 for prospective drivers looking to enter the 2023 season.

The two-day event will aim to give drivers an early opportunity to get to grips with the championship’s industry-leading Tatuus-Abarth-Pirelli package as well as begin building up testing mileage.

Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK, said: “We’re very pleased to unveil plans for our first official New Driver Test for 2023 at the end of October. One of Motorsport UK’s key objectives, as the organisers of ROKiT British F4, is to create meaningful pathways through the sport for drivers.

“Now, with this initiative, that process can begin even sooner, providing drivers a headstart on winter testing, an opportunity to network within the paddock and immerse themselves at an earlier stage in all that the championship has to offer.

“It’s always exciting watching a new generation of talent come through year-on-year, and we look forward to meeting and working with them in the coming weeks and months.”

Drivers wishing to participate in the two-day test can contact teams currently registered to compete in the championship by clicking here.

TOCA support championships produce Thruxton thriller

High speed thrills and spills were in full effect at Thruxton this past weekend (August 27/28) as the TOCA support championships wrote the latest chapter in what is proving to be another pulsating season.

With the business end of the campaign coming into view, every point on offer proved critical for those in title contention; all of which led to edge-of-the-seat entertainment for those that had flocked trackside.

James Kellett took a step closer to wrapping up the Millers Oils Ginetta GT4 Supercup crown. Having been the driver to beat since the get-go, the Century Motorsport ace added two more victories to his impressive résumé to further cement his place at the top of the leaderboard.

Sunday’s second race had to be restarted following a serious incident on the run up Woodham Hill. As a result of the impact, the drivers involved, Colin White and Mike Brown, were taken to hospital for care and are in stable condition.

The Michelin Ginetta Junior Championship saw an abundance of edge-of-the-seat entertainment as the top two took centre stage. Will Macintyre clinched a pivotal victory in Saturday’s opener however he could do nothing to stop series leader Josh Rowledge from hitting back in race two later that afternoon.

Sunday’s third and final contest saw Rowledge recover from a high-speed on the run to the Complex to take his sixth win of the season and thus further extend his championship lead.

History was made in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA as Alex Dunne continued his march towards the title. Returning to the Hampshire venue with a healthy lead in the points, the Hitech GP rewrote the record books in commanding fashion.

Two victories over the course of the weekend – his 10th and 11th of the campaign – saw him break the record for the most victories in a single season and edge nearer to the overall title. Oliver Stewart made it a weekend to remember for the team as he also triumphed for the very first time.

Spoils were shared in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB, where the title race took yet another turn. Gus Burton converted pole position into victory in race one before reigning Sprint Challenge GB champion Theo Edgerton came to the fore in race two to claim his maiden win in the series.

The Quaife MINI CHALLENGE Trophy’s final appearance on the TOCA support bill didn’t disappoint either as the one-make category delivered a pair of blockbuster races.

Tom Ovenden became the latest driver to taste victory in the category as he won an action-packed race one before Nelson King added to his victory tally with a narrow win in what was a pulsating finale.

To view the full classification of results from all sessions at Thruxton, CLICK HERE.

The Home of British Motor Racing, Silverstone, provides the penultimate stop on the calendar for the TOCA package on September 24/25, with the Quaife MINI CHALLENGE JCW primed to rejoin the fray.