Joseph Loake is aiming for championship glory after agreeing a deal to remain with JHR Developments for the 2022 ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA.
The 16-year-old re-joins the reigning champions to build on his maiden season in Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series, in which the Macclesfield-based driver scored three race victories, including a wet-weather triumph on debut at Thruxton.
Loake’s consistent front-running form, including an additional two podium finishes and regular top-ten results, earned him sixth spot in the final standings in 2021.
That, coupled with experience of the new Tatuus T-421 in the F4 UAE series over the winter, the former Fiesta Junior champion is now aiming for similar title success in single seaters alongside new team-mates Georgi Dimitrov and Noah Lisle.
“I’ll be going for the championship – that’s the main goal,” said Loake.
“JHR are going to be fully behind me, which is really nice, so I’ll be giving it my all and will see how we get on. We won’t know until round one exactly what the ultimate pace is like, so I’m just focusing on getting the most out of myself and the car that I have.
“With my experience in the series last year and racing in F4 UAE in Dubai, I have been heavily involved with helping the team to develop the new car. Everyone in the team is working in unison and I think we have done a really good job while making some breakthroughs which we hope will pay off.
“Working on the Neil Brown-spec engine which will be used in Britain should give us a bit of a head start going into the season. The new car is a lot different, but it really suits the way that I like to drive, so hopefully it will be a good year.”
Team Principal Steven Hunter commended Loake for his feedback over the winter months in developing the new car and believes he will be a force to be reckoned with in the title race in 2022.
“We’re very happy that Joseph is able to race with us for a second year in the F4 British Championship and first with the new Tatuus chassis,” said Hunter.
“His insight and help with our understanding of the car in F4UAE was very helpful and he’s also been assisting Neil Brown Engineering with development of the UK spec engine.
“His opening weekend race win was no fluke last season and if things fall his way there is no reason why he cannot be fighting for race wins and be in the mix for the championship this year.”
Loake becomes the 14th confirmed driver on the grid for 2022 season a week ahead of the Season Launch, joining rising stars from the likes of Argenti Motorsport, Carlin, Chris Dittmann Racing, Fortec Motorsport, Hitech GP and Virtuosi Racing.
The series will once again feature on the British Touring Car Championship support package across all ten-events, with the 30-race season set to commence at Donington Park on 23-24 April, live on ITV4.
