GB4 2025 season preview: a guide to the series’ biggest grid yet

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GB4 enters a new era this weekend at Donington Park, with its updated car attracting a record 25-strong grid

Since its creation in 2022, GB4 has used Tatuus’s first-generation Formula 4 car from 2014 to provide drivers with a more affordable route into single-seaters compared to other F4 championships, but grid numbers have been modest.

Entries have almost doubled in number this year, thanks to the introduction of the halo-shod Tatuus MSV GB4-025 car. It’s a modified version of parent series GB3’s outgoing chassis, and has spiked interest to where GB4 is now rivalling British F4.

The car has been detuned to F4 specification, meaning less horsepower and more simplified aero, and the side-mounted air intake has been removed. Its limited slip differential and two-litre normally-aspirated engine are different from the outgoing machine, and teams and drivers believe this gives them a more ‘raceable’ car.

“It’s cost-effective,” says Wayne Douglas, whose Douglas Motorsport outfit has entered GB4 for the first time after winning multiple races in GB3. “It’s nothing against the turbo engine, but you definitely have equalisation [without it] just because there’s less stuff to control. It’s a great little package, ideal for the kids, there’s a few more set-up changes than [other] F4 cars so they learn a little bit. The concept is the same, roughly the same weight, same horsepower, so it’s an equal car.”

There is again a seven-event calendar, with three races per weekend. There is a change to the format of race three at each event, as the top 12 from qualifying will be reversed to form the grid. Previously a fully-reversed grid was used. The season starts and concludes at Donington Park, with the other rounds at Oulton Park, Snetterton, Brands Hatch and Silverstone. The full Grand Prix layout will be used at the last two, and Silverstone will be visited twice.

This year’s champion will receive a £50,000 prize, qualifying on pole earns a driver £125 and a further £1,000 will go to the driver who accumulates the most poles. The highest-placed female driver in the points table will be awarded a €50,000 contribution (an increase from 2024’s fund of €30,000) towards a 2026 F1 Academy drive.

Of the 28 seats available, 25 have been filled for this weekend’s season opener at Donington Park where one second covered the top 20 in pre-event testing. Who are the favourites amongst the stacked grid at the East Midlands venue this weekend?

ADM

Founded by former Arden GB3 team manager Gary Ward, the Brackley-based outfit [pictured above] is expanding into GB4 after previously running classic Formula 3 and Formula Ford 1600 cars.

59. Jason Pribyl USA, 19
2024:2nd in United FFord, 19th in FFord Festival, 19th in Walter Hayes Trophy

The American shone in his first year racing in the UK by coming second in United FFord championship with two victories and three other podiums. He was also 19th in both of FFord’s marquee events: the FFord Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy. He only appeared in half of GB4’s pre-season test days, so may face an early learning curve early adapting to slicks-and-wings.

Arden

Having competed at every tier of single-seaters bar the top one, Arden fields a two-car line-up at the entry level this year.

5. Ava Dobson USA, 16
2024: 17th in GB4, 31st in USF Juniors

After competing in three different championships in her homeland in 2023, Dobson’s 2024 campaign in USF Juniors was cut short after being injured in a high-speed collision at Barber Motorsports Park. She was back behind the wheel later in the year in GB4 for her UK racing debut, and she now returns to the series for her first full season.

27. Leon Wilson England, 17
2024: 10th in GB4

Wilson has come through the ranks at Arden, having been part of its Young Racing Driver Academy prior to moving into car racing with the team in GB4 last year. He took a podium and two fastest laps, and will be looking to build on that this term.

Douglas Motorsport

The race-winning GB3 outfit is embarking on a slightly different challenge in GB4 and is committing to it with three cars.

7. Enzo Hallman Sweden, 17
2024: 2nd in FNordic, 3rd in NXT Gen Cup

A promising rookie single-seater campaign in Formula Nordic, where he was runner-up in the points with five victories despite missing the first two rounds, helped him win the prestigious Ronnie Peterson Memorial Foundation scholarship in his homeland. While he hasn’t got as much testing mileage under his belt as others, he could be one to watch.

28. Dayton Coulthard Scotland, 16
2024: Karting

One of three sons of ex-Formula 1 drivers in GB4, Coulthard makes his car racing debut as a graduate of the UK’s kart scene.

32. Luke Hilton England, 17
2024: 5th in Radical Cup UK, 7th in Gulf Radical Cup

Although he is new to single-seaters, Hilton already has three years of car racing experience behind him. He won multiple races in the BRSCC’s Ford Fiesta Junior championship, as well as in Radical sportscars in both the UK and United Arab Emirates. His test-topping form at Silverstone last month suggests he will be a victory contender.

Elite Motorsport

The front-running team that steered Alisha Palmowski to championship runner-up spot in 2024 look set to be in good shape again this season with a strong three-car line-up.

35. Isaac Phelps England, 15
2024: 5th in Ginetta Junior, Ginetta Junior Winter Series champion

Showed promise upon graduating from karting last year with five wins across Ginetta Junior’s main and winter series, and he took the title in the latter. Having topped GB4’s first test day with its new car at Silverstone, it looks like he’ll be in the mix.

46. Aryaman Bansal India, 15
2024: 14th in FTrophy UAE, NC in Spanish F4

The Bangalorean is relatively new to car racing, having made his debut at the 2024 Spanish F4 finale and then contested the UAE’s two-round Formula Trophy for F4 cars. Prior to that he spent two years competing in British Karting Championship events, and has looked close to the pace straight away in a GB4 car.

51. Alexandros Kattoulas Japan/Greece, 19
2024: 32nd in GB3

Has plenty of pedigree from his karting career, where he competed against three of this year’s F1 rookies. He stepped away from racing at the end of 2018 before returning to make his debut in cars at Donington Park last year in GB3. Kattoulas is another likely victory contender in GB4, having topped eight pre-season test sessions.

Fortec Motorsports

Linus Granfors added another title to Fortec’s long list of single-seater honours by becoming 2024 GB4 champion, and this season there is a mixture of experience among its drivers.

8. Thomas Ingram-Hill England, 15
2024: 11th in Ginetta Junior

Making his single-seater debut this weekend, having started out in karting and scored nine top-10 finishes during his rookie car racing campaign in Ginetta Junior last year.

23. Luca Magnussen Denmark, 15
2024: Karting

The third member of the Magnussen family to be embarking on a British single-seater campaign, the son of 1994 British F3 champion-turned sportscar ace Jan faces a learning curve this season as he graduates from karting.

50. Jack Taylor Australia
2024: 9th in GB4   2023: 8th in GB4

The Tasmanian teenager started his car racing career in Indian F4 at the end of 2023, and scored his maiden single-seater podium in GB4 last season. He will be aiming to add to that podium tally by remaining with Fortec for his second campaign.

Fox Motorsport

The successful sportscar outfit continues in GB4 for its third year in single-seaters with an all-female line-up.

48. Holly Miall England, 17
2024: 22nd in Ginetta Junior   2023: 15th in Ginetta Junior

Making her single-seater debut after two years racing for the team in Ginetta Junior.

88. Caitlyn McDaniel USA, 17
2024: Karting

The Britain-based teenager has joined GB4 for her car racing debut at late notice after taking part in pre-season testing.

Graham Brunton Racing

The Knockhill-based squad will again run an all-Canadian driver line-up while expanding its assault to three cars.

44. Mayer Deonarine Canada, 16
2024: 15th in GB4, Radical Cup North America

Competed with GBR in the first three rounds of 2024 before switching his focus to the Radical Cup North America, where he scored multiple wins in the 1340 class, including a triple triumph at his home event on the streets of Toronto. Returning to GB4 for a full season in 2025, he is aiming to be frontrunner this time around.

45. Callum Baxter Canada, 18
2024: 7th in GB4, 11th FFord Festival

Remains with GBR for his sophomore season, having scored two podiums and also raced for the team at the FFord Festival as a Team Canada scholar in 2024. Prior to that he was Toyo Tires F1600 championship runner-up in Canada, winning on the F1 support bill in Montreal.

98. Alex Berg Canada, 18
2024: 14th in British F4

The son of 1986 Osella F1 driver Allen Berg has also represented GBR and the Team Canada Scholarship in FFord, reaching the final at both the FFord Festival and WHT in 2023. Last year he headed to slicks-and-wings via British F4 and scored one win, and that experience should stand him in good stead despite his lack of pre-season testing in GB4’s new car.

Hillspeed

Having made a name for itself in GB3, Hillspeed is returning to GB4 after being a title contender in the inaugural season.

49. Daniel Guinchard England, 18

The former Mercedes-AMG F1 junior is making a welcome return to racing, having last competed in 2023 when he drove in British F4. Budget issues meant an early end to that campaign, and he was a race-winner in the championship the year before. His experience should make him a victory contender in GB4 despite limited pre-season running.

77. Leandro Juncos USA/Argentina, 19
2024: 19th in USF Juniors

He only began racing last year, and chose IndyCar feeder series USF Juniors for his first steps. He did four rounds and netted a best result of fourth at Barber. Since then he has driven in GB3 testing with Chris Dittmann Racing, before deciding to race in GB4. Has also worked as an assistant engineer for his father’s IndyCar team Juncos Hollinger Racing.

KMR Sport

Kevin Mills’s reigning three-time champion team will want further success, but with origins in FFord this new car leaves more to learn for the team than rivals with experience of higher categories.

3. Alex O’Grady Ireland, 16
2024: 12th in French F4

Took two podium finishes in French F4 as a rookie fresh from karting. Will be hoping to run at the sharp end of the field despite less pre-season testing than his team-mates.

9. Megan Bruce England, 20
2024: 11th in GB4, 11th in Caterham 270R championship

Has switched from Fox for her sophomore campaign, having scored a best result of sixth as a rookie while also shining with multiple podium finishes in Caterham sportscars. Her testing form pre-season suggests she is set for improved results in 2025, and is also one of the leading contenders for the F1 Academy prize.

15. Lily-May Watkins England, 17
2024: Karting

One of the most inexperienced drivers on the grid having mainly competed in indoor karting until now. Her time spent in the YRDA and a full GB4 testing programme over winter in both last year’s car and the new machine have helped her make significant progress ahead of her car racing debut.

Pace Performance

The Ginetta Junior outfit is expanding into GB4 this year, and has had help behind the wheel from F2 race-winner and current Super Formula racer Zak O’Sullivan in testing as it prepares to tackle single-seater racing for the first time.

17. Stefan Bostandjiev Bulgaria, 20
2024: Italian GT Sprint Championship, 7th in Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe – Pro

The Iron Lynx sports car racer has chosen to switch disciplines, and like his team is making his open-wheel debut this weekend. He will compete part-time in GB4 this season alongside a full GB3 campaign with Fortec Motorsports.

76. Josh McLean England, 20
2024: Ginetta GT Championship

After bringing a decorated karting career to a halt in 2019, McLean is making a full-time return to racing in GB4, where he will make his single-seater debut. He already has three car racing starts under his belt, having scored a best result of sixth during a cameo in the Ginetta GT Championship at Donington Park last year.

Rossoverde Scorpio Racing

Rossoverde Racing, which has competed part-time in GB4 since its inception, has joined forces with one-time GB4 entrant Scorpio Motorsport for a full-time assault.

64. Neirin Evans Wales, 16
2024: Karting

The Welsh teenager heads to cars after three years in karting, and is a member of the YRDA.