Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Aqil Alibhai has signed with Virtuosi Racing to compete in British Formula 4 as he makes the full-time move to single-seater racing.
The South African finished on the podium five times and claimed a pole position en route to sixth in the Ginetta Junior standings last year, driving for Elite Motorsport in his first racing campaign out of karts.
He then made his single-seater debut with Scorpio Motorsport in the final round of GB4, a series that uses Tatuus’s first-generation F4 car while British F4 uses the second-generation model, and came away with a fourth and sixth place finish.
“I’m proud to confirm my 2023 British F4 programme with Virtuosi,” said Alibhai.
“Testing with the team has been seamless and I felt comfortable right away. I can’t wait to see the South African flag represented in such a prestigious championship. Bring on the first round.”
Alibhai is Virtuosi’s third driver, alongside the F4 United Arab Emirates-experienced Kai Daryanani and karting graduate Douwe Dedecker, and is the second South African on the grid as Danish F4 race-winner Mika Abrahams will be racing for Fortec Motorsports.
Virtuosi Racing’s F4 team manager Mark Salmon said: “We are proud to welcome Aqil into the Virtuosi team for the 2023 British F4 Championship. He had a good season in Ginetta Junior last year and we aim to provide him with the support and experience he needs to continue that positive trajectory as he takes on his first full season in single-seaters. We’re already prepping for the championship ahead and testing has been going great so we’re looking forward to it.”