2026, the new year has been rung in. A New Year and a new air of excitement, and January has kick-started the preparation for the 2026 Wera Tools F4 British Championship certified by FIA season. Let’s get you back on track with all the news from the first month of the year. You ready?
January brought several announcements within British F4, Rodin Motorsport inked two deals, while Argenti has secured the services of Ethan Jeff-Hall once again.
Ethan Jeff-Hall targets success with Argenti Motorsport as he enters his second season with the team, bringing a strong karting pedigree and previous winning form into British F4. The Mercedes-AMG Junior Driver finished fifth in the 2025 standings and will be one driver with the target on his back for the new campaign.
McLaren Driver Development Programme star junior Dries Van Langendonck returns after an end of season debut in 2025. Working alongside Rodin Motorsport once again, the Papaya colours are back on the grid for 2026, with Dries aiming to continue his progression through junior single-seaters after an eye-catching debut last year.
Ethan Lennon leaps into British F4 with Rodin Motorsport as teammate to Van Langendonck, joining the grid for a full campaign in 2026 – adding another fresh young talent to the field after an impressive year in Ginetta Juniors.
With February just around the corner, there is a third of the grid still to be announced!
Rising Stars: Career Moves Beyond British F4
2026 has begun with a string of exciting career developments for drivers with British F4 roots:
Former British F4 competitor and 2025 Formula Regional European Champion Freddie Slater has been signed as the first driver in the newly formed Audi F1 Driver Development Programme — marking a significant milestone in his rapid rise up the motorsport ladder. Slater’s move comes ahead of a FIA Formula 3 campaign with Trident and positions him with a major manufacturer backing heading into an important year for the British ace.
2020 British F4 Champion Luke Browning has been confirmed as a Reserve Driver for the Atlassian Williams Formula 1 Team in 2026. He will also compete in Super Formula alongside his reserve duties, representing another big step in his progression toward the top level of motorsport.
In Formula 1 testing news, reigning World Champion Lando Norris got behind the wheel of the new McLaren MCL40 in Barcelona, carrying the coveted number 1 for the first time as part of McLaren’s early 2026 shakedown. Norris described the experience as “surreal” — a milestone moment following his title-winning season. Teammate Oscar Piastri also got behind the wheel – the Aussie ace keen to get his season off to a flyer at his home race in March.
In endurance racing, former British F4 drivers Sebastian Priaulx and Logan Sargeant have been confirmed as part of Ford’s Hypercar programme for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (including the 24 Hours of Le Mans). Ford recently announced its first driver line-up for its return to top-class WEC competition — with Priaulx and Sargeant joining veteran Mike Rockenfeller behind the wheel of its new Hypercar project. The trio will initially take to the wheel of the Mustang GT3 in 2026 as they integrate themselves into Ford’s blue oval operation ahead of the Hypercar programme next year.
This announcement highlights the ongoing career paths of British F4 alumni at the highest levels of sportscar racing, reinforcing the series’ role in developing global racing talent.
January 2026 has set the tone for an action-packed year across multiple levels of motorsport — from British F4 driver line-ups solidifying, to feeder-series stars stepping into manufacturer programmes and international racing opportunities.
Stay up to date on the British F4 social channels as well as our website of course for the latest news and features!