There will be a new team name on the Spanish Formula 4 grid this year, as Tecnicar Motorsport joins the series with Eric Gene as its first driver signing.
The Valencia-based team first entered Spanish F4 in 2018, competing as the single-seater arm of kart manufacturer Praga. That association was dropped from the team name during the 2021 campaign, with it then racing as Formula de Campeones.
With the team’s local work in Valencia now concluded, the Tecnicar organisation has taken over the F4 squad having previously had some of its members working within it. Tecnicar members also work for Formula Regional teams.
“When Formula de Campeones changed their strategy, not contuining their participation in a championship that we were a part of from the beginning, we decided to take advantage of all this experience and good track record to acquire the team, now as a private company, and thus continue with an incredible project,” said Tecnicar’s team principal Javier Lapena.
The team will run three cars this year, with its full line-up already signed. The first to be announced is Gene, who is the son of International Formula 3000 and World Touring Car Championship race-winner Jordi and nephew of former Formula 1 driver and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Marc.
“I am thrilled to join Tenicar Motorsport Solutions for 2023 and I am excited for season,” said the 16-year-old. “It is an honor for me to follow in my father’s and uncle’s footsteps and I can’t wait to take on this new challenge.”
Gene is graduating from karting, having come third in IAME’s I-Games, ninth in its Winter Cup and 17th in its Euro Series for X30 Junior karts in 2021 and then in his rookie campaign on X30 Senior karts last year came 52nd in the Euro Series.
“We are very pleased to welcome Eric as part of our team for 2023,” Lapena said. “With his experience in karting and dedication to the sport, we are confident that he will be a great asset to our team. We look forward to seeing him excel on track.”
Gene has already done several tests with Tecnicar, who also ran Griffin Peebles in last week’s test at Spa-Francorchamps.