Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
The Magnussen name will return to the British junior single-seater scene this year, with karting graduate Luca Magnussen completing Fortec Motorsports’ GB4 line-up.
Magnussen, who is the son of sportscar ace and ex-Formula 1 driver Jan, has competed in karts since 2021. The 15-year-old started out in the Sydsvenskans Kart Champion Cup (SKCC) before stepping up to X30 and OK Junior karts as well as selected events in the FIA Karting World and European championships in 2023.
Having raced in both ROK Cup Italy and the Danish Karting League in 2024, he then represented Denmark in karting at the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia last October.
“I’m incredibly happy to take the next step in my career and proud to team up with such a renowned and experienced team like Fortec Motorsports,” said Magnussen, who will race alongside GB4 sophomore Jack Taylor and Ginetta Junior graduate Thomas Ingram-Hill.
“The team has already given me a warm welcome, and now I’m just excited to get started and show what I can do. A year full of big challenges and even more competition awaits me. A huge thank you to all my sponsors and to my family, who have supported me all the way.”
He will be third member of the Magnussen family to compete in a British single-seater series. His father famously won the 1994 British Formula 3 championship in dominant style with a record-breaking 14 victories from 18 starts. Older half-brother Kevin was also runner-up in British F3 in 2011 with seven wins prior to his two spells in F1 spanning more than a decade.
“We are thrilled to welcome Luca Magnussen to our team for the GB4 Championship in 2025,” added Fortec’s team principal Oliver Dutton. “Luca has shown incredible potential during his karting career and particularly impressed us during his test at Donington Park.
“His dedication and skill make him a valuable addition to our line-up, and we are confident he will make significant strides this season.”
Arden, meanwhile, has confirmed that Leon Wilson will remain with the team for a second season. The 17-year-old, who has been part of Arden’s Young Racing Driver Academy for the last few years, finished 10th in the standings in 2024 with one podium finish to his name.
“It’s been an incredible journey for me so far, with Arden Motorsport and their Young Racing Driver’s Academy, ” said Wilson “Not coming from a racing background, and having little previous racing experience, it’s been a steep learning curve for me.
“We entered last year’s championship a year ahead of expectations; we had plenty of highs, some lows and also learnt a few lessons with advice from MSV in both pre- and post-race situations, but the overall experience will stand me in good stead for this year’s championship.”
“The YRDA SIM training and Arden support in and out of the car during the off-season has prepared me well for the upcoming championship in the new GB4 car. The new car looks amazing and I am eager to undertake some on-track pre-season testing.”