Belgian karter Douwe Dedecker has signed with Virtuosi Racing in British Formula 4 for his first season in car racing.
The 15-year-old came 12th in the WSK Euro Series and 29th in the Champions of the Future series last year after stepping up to OK karts, and at the start of the year came seventh in the WSK Super Master Series in OK-Junior karts.
He also spent 2020 and ’21 in the OK-J category, coming third in the German championship, ninth in CotF, 22nd in the CIK-FIA European and World championships and 24th in the WSK Euro Series where he was also third on OK-Mini karts in 2019.
“I’m looking forward to joining such a great team in my first season of single-seaters in the British F4 championship,” said Dedecker. “I’m looking forward to the season ahead and hoping to get the best results possible.”
Virtuosi’s British F4 team boss Mark Salmon added: “I’m pleased to welcome Douwe into the Virtuosi family. We’re very excited to work with him this year as he makes the big step up into single-seaters following a successful karting career. We look forward to enjoying a great season achieving our goals together.”
The British F4 grid now has 16 full-time entries confirmed for 2023, with Dedecker being Virtuosi’s only signing for the season so far.
Virtuosi joined the series last year as it adopted a new second-generation F4 car, and claimed one win and one other podium with the two driver it entered. The British team also currently races in Formula 2.