Photo: JHR Developments
Karting graduate Lewis Wherrell has joined JHR Developments to race in British Formula 4 next year.
The 15-year-old already has some single-seater experience, making his debut in a Spanish F4 event than landing a top-five finish in a GB4 cameo.
Last month he joined Saudi Arabian F4 for two rounds, and by taking two wins and two poles he was able to come fifth in the standings despite missing over half of the season.
“I’m proud to announce that I’ll be racing for JHR Developments for the 2026 British F4 season,” said Wherrell.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved at JHR for this opportunity. I can’t wait to get started and I’m hoping for a good year ahead for both me and the whole team.”
JHR’s team principal Steven Hunter added: “We’ve had some really good test days so far with Lewis and he’s done quite a bit of running since the end of the season. He’s done a really good job so far. He’s been taking a lot of information onboard and applied what he’s learnt very methodically. With every test he’s gained in confidence and speed, so we’re looking forward to seeing Lewis out racing with JHR and I feel that he’ll be battling up the front in 2026.”
Wherrell has moved into single-seaters after an impressive karting career. In the OK Junior class he was Champions of the Future champion, won the WSK Champions Cup and Trofeo delle Industrie, was fourth in the CIK-FIA European championship, sixth in WSK’s Final Cup, eighth in its Euro Series and ninth in its Super Master Series.
After stepping up to the senior OK class, he came seventh in the European championship, eighth in WSK SMS, 11th in WSK FC and 23rd in the CIK-FIA World championship.
Also debuting in British F4 in 2026 are 16-year-old George Proudford-Nalder (Virtuosi Racing) and 18-year-old Vegard Klemetsen (Argenti Motorsport).
Australian racer Proudford-Nalder, who comes from a family of cattle farmers, switched from karting to cars this year via entry-level sportscar series Ginetta Junior. He came seventh in the standings with two podiums.
Klemetsen, from Norway, came 34th in the European championship for OK karts this year, one place behind Wherrell.