New British F4 season starts here
Round 1 - Donington Park - Preview
Hitech TGR’s British Formula 4 season gets underway this weekend as Donington Park hosts the opening round of the new campaign. Hitech start as reigning champions, following a dominant performance last season in which they won 17 races – achieving a historic double by securing both the Drivers’ and Teams’ titles.
After competing in the Formula Winter Series in Spain and Portugal earlier this year, the team have already accumulated plenty of racing mileage, and the four drivers – Leo Robinson, Fionn McLaughlin, Thomas Bearman and Xavier Avramides – are aiming to make a strong start this weekend.
After finishing as Vice-Champion in the Formula Winter Series, with two wins to his name, Leo Robinson is looking forward to getting back behind the wheel at the 1.9-mile East Midlands venue.
Leo Robinson:
“Compared to the other British tracks, Donington Park is quite specialist and different to many others. For example, it’s mainly medium to high-speed corners, and they are mostly right-handers too.”
Having impressed as the top rookie in the Formula Winter Series, Red Bull Junior Team driver Fionn McLaughlin begins his British F4 debut season with a steep learning curve ahead, having only experienced UK circuits through test sessions.
Fionn McLaughlin:
“I’ve done a few tests at Donington Park now, so I know the track pretty well, even though I haven’t raced there. I’ve watched a lot of racing there before and it appears to be a track where there’s scope for overtaking - by outfoxing a rival when they run deep into a corner and cutting through on the inside.”
After making his British F4 debut at the end of last season, Thomas Bearman returns for his first full-time campaign in the championship.
Thomas Bearman:
“After racing in FWS pre-season and getting more experience in an F4 car, I can’t wait to get on track again in this year’s British F4 series. Donington Park is a great circuit, fast and flowing, and I’m hoping we’ll have a strong start to the year.”
Thomas will be joined in Hitech’s four-car line-up by another rookie. Despite not competing in the Formula Winter Series, Xavier Avramides joins us for this year’s 30-race season. Making the step up to single-seaters for the first time, the Australian celebrated his 17th birthday last week.
In 2025, the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by the FIA, will feature 30 races held across nine events in the UK – including an overseas round at Zandvoort. This weekend, Donington Park’s National layout will host the opening three races of the year.
Where to watch
Eight of the events support the British Touring Car Championship and benefit from live TV coverage on ITV.