New Racing Star program offers two funded rides in the UK’s F4

The Racing Star program, funded by the new F4 title sponsor ROKiT, was unveiled on Friday as part of the official season start of the British F4 2022.

The championship will see a number of changes for the next year after the British motorsport umbrella organization Motorsport UK succeeded the longstanding promoter RacingLine as organizer and the new second generation FIA F4 car was presented.

In addition to further details on the unveiling of the series, the Racing Star scheme was also announced as part of the launch.

Developed by Force India’s longtime assistant team principal Fernley, it is open to 14- and 15-year-olds who will be participating in a series of sim racing qualifiers.

Then there will be a five-lap sim racing series and the best 16 boys and 16 best girls will compete in a final next spring at the National Center for Motorsport Engineering at the University of Bolton – an institution Fernley is closely involved with because of its students connected is his 1981 ensign 180B in the historic F1.

A driver will be selected from the finalists to win the award and will receive six months of expert training and support from the Motorsport UK Academy before a fully funded season in British Formula 4 begins in 2023.

It is not necessary that participants have previous racing experience.

“Talent recognition programs are commonplace in sport, but in motorsport this really is a game changing opportunity for two future stars to influence in a virtual environment and then have the framework and support to turn their skills into reality – world competition together with a reputable source like Motorsport UK Academy, “said Fernley.

In addition to the launch of Racing Star, other plans have been announced for Motorsport UK’s first season in British Formula 4.

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It had already been announced that the series would switch to a Tatuus-Abarth chassis-engine combo from the previous Mygale-Ford that had been in use since the inaugural season in 2015, and the new car was being made for the first time in the UK . Seen Bicester Base from Motorsport UK.

Other changes include the takeover of Hankook by F1 tire supplier Pirelli in the provision of the category rubber.

Plans by Neil Brown Engineering to develop the Abarth engine into a bespoke unit for the British Championship have also been confirmed to ensure greater parity between engines.

A connection with the McLaren F1 team has also been revealed, with the F4 champion getting a chance to join the roster.

“McLaren Racing will offer the Formula 4 champion the opportunity to embed themselves in the racing team with the engineers and drivers at the British Grand Prix and to fully understand what it takes to operate at the highest level of motorsport,” said McLaren engineer Amelia Lewis.

Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, said the launch was “a really significant moment,” adding that more announcements and new partnerships will be made in the coming weeks.

“Our vision has always been to grow the series into a world leader and develop and start things with partnerships with companies like ROKiT, McLaren and Pirelli in the future,” he said.

“It also underscores how seriously the British F4 are viewed at the highest echelons of the sport.”