The UK’s premier single-seater series meets the UK’s fastest race circuit this weekend (July 25-26) as the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA descends on Thruxton for Rounds 16, 17 & 18 of the 2026 season.
After enjoying an action-packed ‘away day’ at Zandvoort in the Netherlands less than a fortnight ago, Britain’s Formula 4 category is now preparing to kick-off the second half of its campaign at one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar.
With no less than eight different race winners and a total of 19 different podium finishers coming to the fore already this term, the battle for supremacy is expected to be hotly contested – especially as every point will be crucial between now and the end of the season.
The annual pilgrimage to the high-speed Hampshire venue is set to garner plenty of attention too as British F4 rejoins the British Touring Car Championship bill, which brings with it LIVE free to air TV coverage on ITV4.
Van Langendonck in the box seat
Heading into the sixth of ten meetings this season, Dries Van Langendonck (Rodin Motorsport) is very much the driver to beat after the Belgian teenager reignited his title charge by snaring pole position and two wins at Zandvoort.
Van Langendonck – who is a part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme – was nothing short of sublime on foreign soil, and he’ll look to maintain that form as he seeks to further extend his 47-point advantage in the Drivers’ Championship.
While he will be focused on staying out front, the chasing pack will be eager to reign him back in – especially because they know that they can’t afford to lose any more ground to the relentless rookie.
Multiple race winner Lewis Wherrell (JHR Developments) currently sits second overall, and he’ll want to bounce back from a below-par – by his standards – trip to the Netherlands; while Hitech teammates Theo Palmer and Scott Kin Lindblom have their sights set on each scoring a maiden win having previously come tantalizingly close to the top step.
Mercedes F1 Junior Ethan Jeff-Hall (Argenti Motorsport) has been a winner this season and sitting fifth in the standings, he’ll be confident that he can progress further up the order come the close of play on Sunday.
Elsewhere, George Proudford-Nalder (Virtuosi Racing) is on a hot streak after winning the BRDC International Trophy at Silverstone and then scoring a podium at Zandvoort. He is narrowly ahead of Adam Al Azhari (Hitech) and double race winner Ethan Lennon (Rodin Motorsport).
Two more race winners – Virtuosi Racing teammates Jarrett Clark and Joseph Smith – complete the top ten and they along with many others such as Tommy Harfield (Chris Dittmann Racing), Kit Belofsky (Fortec Motorsports) and Chiara Bättig (Hitech) will also look to make their mark.
Thruxton thrill ride
Of all the circuits that the F4 British Championship takes centre stage at each year, Thruxton in the South of the UK is without a doubt one of the most unique.
Originally constructed as a World War II airfield for the RAF, the circuit was formed out of the perimeter road in 1968 and since that day, it has remained largely unchanged.
Renowned for its sweeping curves, unrelenting bumps and two heavy braking zones, the 2.356-mile race circuit is the ultimate test for drivers and teams. With average speeds of more than 100mph, fans can expect to see plenty of wheel-to-wheel battles and slipstreaming throughout the field this weekend; all of which will culminate towards delivering an unmissable spectacle.
Live Stream, Timetable & Tickets
Qualifying for the CADOLA Watches Pole Position Award takes place on Saturday morning at 11:25, before race one gets underway later that afternoon at 16:10. Two more races – the reverse grid contest at 13:00 and the longer feature race at 16:35 - will then play out on Sunday.
Saturday’s Race 1 will; be live streamed globally on the British F4 YouTube channel. On Sunday, UK fans can watch the action broadcast as part of ITV4’s free-to-air coverage in the UK, while fans outside the UK can see all the F4 action live the championship’s YouTube channel.
For those looking to soak up the high-octane action in person, tickets for the weekend can be purchased via the official Thruxton website.
