Fortec Motorsport has confirmed it will return to the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA grid for the final two events of the 2022 season, at Silverstone and Brands Hatch respectively.
Fortec were among the seven teams to publicly commit to the second-generation era of Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series when plans were unveiled last autumn, and subsequently took delivery of the brand-new Tatuus T-421.
The Daventry-based team have subsequently conducted a thorough testing programme to get to grips with the series’ new Tatuus-Abarth-Pirelli chassis, engine, and tyre combination, as well as develop their next wave of driver talent.
Now, Richard Dutton’s outfit will make their return to competitive action, starting with the penultimate event of the campaign at Silverstone on 23-25 September and concluding at Brands Hatch’s Grand Prix layout a fortnight later (7-9 October).
“Everybody at Fortec Motorsport is very excited to be returning to ROKiT British F4,” explains Team Manager, Oliver Dutton.
“We made no secret of our intentions to continue competing in the series last autumn. Driver development is a key philosophy of our team, so to race on the FIA single seater ladder, with a car and a package designed to help bring drivers on, is a ‘must’ for us.”
Fortec return to the grid as one of the most successful teams in the championship’s eight-year history, tracing back to the inception of MSA Formula in 2015.
To date, the team have over 30 race victories and were crowned Drivers’ Champions in 2020 with Luke Browning. Renowned for their driver development, Fortec also played an intrinsic role in the junior careers of Formula 1 stars Charles Leclerc and Daniel Ricciardo, among others.
“Our approach to the last two rounds is very much with one eye on the future,” explains Dutton.
“For us, it’s the beginning of our 2023 programme. It’s a championship we’ve been very successful in previously, and we’re certainly not here to make up the numbers in the background.”
Fortec’s return to ROKiT British F4 will pit them against a number of Europe’s other leading junior single seater teams, such as Phinsys by Argenti, Carlin, Chris Dittmann Racing, Hitech GP, JHR and Virtuosi Racing.
“It’s excellent to be able to welcome Fortec Motorsport back to ROKiT British F4,” said Hugh Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of Motorsport UK.
“It’s a team that is synonymous with both the championship, and the development of future motorsport stars, making it the perfect fit.
“I’ve little doubt that they’ll quickly be back fighting up at the sharp end of the field.”
Details on Fortec Motorsport’s driver line-up will be confirmed in due course.
