Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
GB4’s reigning three-time teams’ champions KMR Sport has completed its 2025 line-up with the signing of Alex O’Grady and Lily-May Watkins.
O’Grady was a FEED Racing France shootout finalist in 2023, and despite missing out on a free seat still progressed into French Formula 4 last year. He came 12th in the standings as a rookie, making the podium twice.
Prior to that, the 16-year-old Irishman spent several years in karting and finished sixth in the IAME Warriors Final for X30 Junior karts at Le Mans in 2022.
“I’m very happy to be joining KMR Sport for the 2025 GB4 season,” O’Grady said. “Being multiple team champions, they are clearly a top team with good material and proven success. There will still be lots to learn for me, coming into the season with limited track time, however I’m confident that I can adapt quickly and learn.”
Watkins will be making her first car racing starts at next month’s Donington Park season-opener, and has taken part in both pre-season tests so far at Snetterton at Oulton Park. The 17-year-old has competed in karting across the United Kingdom since 2019 and has been a member of Arden’s Young Racing Driver Academy.
“I’m very excited to be making the step into GB4 with KMR for the 2025 season,” said Watkins. “I am looking forward to being part of such a successful but also welcoming team, and I’m eager to bring my best for them.
“The prospect of competing at this level and being part of a welcoming and inclusive category is something I have only dreamed of. I am excited to continue building across pre-season testing, learn from my teammates, and be ready for round one in a few weeks.”
Another to confirm her place on the grid after taking part in pre-season testing is Ava Dobson, who is returning to GB4 with Arden. The 16-year-old American took part in two rounds last season with Velocity Racing Development – Arden’s partner team – and scored a best result of ninth place at Silverstone.
Those appearances were her first since her USF Juniors season was cut short by injury following a high-speed collision at Barber Motorsports Park. In 2023 she raced in three different single-seater championships in the United States, contesting selected events in Formula 4, USF Juniors and USF2000 with Jay Howard Driver Development.
“Racing with Arden last year was such an incredible experience, and I’m beyond excited to be back with them for a full GB4 season,” said Dobson. “I learned so much in the rounds I competed in, and I can’t wait to build on that, work with the team, and fight for strong results this year!”
Watkins and Dobson are among a quartet of drivers in contention for an increased €50,000 prize contribution towards a 2026 F1 Academy drive for being the top female in this year’s GB4 standings. Last year’s recipient and overall GB4 runner-up Alisha Palmowski netted €30,000 towards her 2025 F1 Academy seat with Campos Racing.