Salim Hanna Hernandez, a protege of Prema, has been announced as joining Virtuosi Racing for a part-time programme in British Formula 4.
The Colombian will make his debut with the team at Thruxton this weekend, making Virtuosi a multi-car squad after solely fielding Martin Molnar through the first three rounds.
Hanna, who is 15 and a car racing rookie, also tested with the team at the high-speed track last week and was fourth fastest.
“I’m excited to take on this new challenge with Virtuosi Racing in British F4, confident that this next step will help me strengthen my skills and develop further as a racing driver,” said Hanna.
This weekend will mark the first time Hanna has driven for a team other than Prema since 2023, when he joined its karting division.
A long-time protege of former Formula 1 and IndyCar star Juan Pablo Montoya, Hanna had already won the Trofeo delle Industrie and WSK Open Cup in the OK Junior class of karts prior to that and after stepping up to OK karts with Prema he came third in the WSK Champions Cup, fifth in the WSK Super Master Series and 12th in the CIK-FIA European Championship.
Once he turned 15 last year, Hanna then made his F4 debut with the Prema in the United Arab Emirates-based Formula Trophy. A best finish of fourth from the seven-race series put him seventh in the standings, and he had the guidance of not only Montoya but also his son Sebastian, who now races in Formula 2 for Prema.
Hanna began 2025 in F4 Middle East, coming sixth in the championship with one podium, and is currently fifth in Italian F4 with three podiums and a pole from six races. He will also race in E4 (nee Euro 4).
“We’re pleased to have Salim Hanna with us at Virtuosi this year for selected races in British F4,” Virtuosi’s team principal Mark Salmon commented.
“The testing we have done with Salim so far this season has gone well and we’re looking forward to our first race weekend together at Thruxton.”