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New Formula 4 aims to generate the F1 stars of the future

By MJP Media | 17 May 2013

In this special feature we look at the new BRDC Formula 4 Championship as it takes it's place supporting the mighty DTM series this weekend at Brands Hatch.

Malgosia Rdest and Sennan Fielding

Formula 4 is a ground-breaking new junior single seater series launched this year. The new championship has been created to provide a much needed modern low cost series aimed at those starting single seater racing and is a stepping stone to the higher formulae. The British Racing Drivers' Club (BRDC) will partner Motor Sport Vision (MSV) in the development and support of the series, which will be titled the BRDC Formula 4 Championship.

MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer said: "It is clear that British motorsport needs a new single seater championship that really attracts the young talent of today to produce large competitive grids of drivers aiming for F1. At MSV we have used all of our considerable experience and judgment to launch what I think is a compelling package which I believe will re-energise this sector of motor racing. I am very excited about the prospects for the BRDC Formula 4 Championship and am delighted that our vision has been shared by the BRDC, whose President Derek Warwick has already demonstrated tremendous enthusiasm and interest in the detailed operation of the championship".

Jake Dalton working with his engineer

Supporting the mighty DTMs this weekend at Brands Hatch, the BRDC Formula 4 Championship has attracted some of the brightest young talents in world of motor sport. The MGR team is fortunate enough to have two of the top names. Jake Dalton from Audley in Staffordshire has already demonstrated his skill by winning the 3rd race of the opening round at Silverstone after stepping up from Formula Renault at the end of last season. His partner Pietro Fittipaldi is no less than the grandson of the great F1 double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi! Pietro hails from Miami and last year raced in the NASCAR Whelen All-American series.

Elsewhere on the grid we have Sennan Fielding from Chesterfield who was second in last years Ginetta Juniors Championship racing in Formula 4 this year for Douglas Motorsport Development. Sennan's team-mate is the only lady in the field, Malgosia Rdest. The 20 year old from Zyrardow in Poland has graduated from the Formula BMW Talent Cup series.

Pietro Fittipaldi and Jake Dalton

At the end of the season, the winning driver will get a large cash prize and a full works test with one of the leading F3 teams, Carlin Motorsport. Over 190 drivers have passed through the doors of the team, many on their way to the highest echelons of the sport, including F1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen, Narain Karthikeyan, Robert Kubica, Sebastian Vettel, Jaime Alguersuari, Bruno Senna, Daniel Ricciardo and Jean-Eric Vergne.

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