Past champions, race winners and podium finishers of the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA will kick off their 2025 seasons in Australia this weekend (14-16 March) as FIA Formula 1, FIA Formula 2 and FIA Formula 3 all take centre stage at Albert Park in Melbourne
No less than 11 drivers with connections to the UK’s leading single-seater series will be in action over the course of the next few days.
Formula 1
One of the most eagerly-anticipated years in the history of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship is set to play out over the course of 2025, and the grid includes three British F4 graduates – two of which who could very well be in contention for the coveted Drivers’ Championship.
Lando Norris reigned supreme in F4 back in 2015 – clinching the title in superlative fashion – and he has since gone on to rise up the ranks. Coming off the back of a stellar campaign last year, the McLaren driver heads into the new season as one of the favourites for the title.
He’s again joined at the reigning World Constructors’ Champions by this weekend’s home hero Oscar Piastri. The Australian scored six wins on his way to finishing as F4 vice-champion in 2017, which has acted as a springboard for him to go on and achieve unparalleled success.
Completing the list of F4 alumni that will compete in Formula 1 is Jack Doohan, who is embarking on his maiden season in the championship with the Alpine F1 Team. The 22-year-old scored three wins on his way to fifth place overall – and the Rookie Cup title – when he raced in British F4 in 2018.
Formula 2
The penultimate step in the FIA single-seater pyramid, Formula 2 is the last stepping stone to Formula 1, and this year it will see two former British F4 champions bidding to establish themselves as the drivers to beat.
Luke Browning claimed the British F4 title at a thrilling showdown in 2020 and has since gone on to star at every level, including a Formula 1 practice session last year. As part of the Williams F1 Academy, Browning will be one to watch as he leads the charge for Hitech.
Over at Rodin Motorsport, Alex Dunne is looking to make an instant impact as he steps up from Formula 3. Now part of the McLaren Development Driver programme, the Irishman enjoyed a record-breaking run to the F4 title back in 2022.
Rafael Villagómez, who scored a solitary podium on British soil when he competed in the championship in 2020, completes the list of F4 graduates in Formula 2 as he lines up for Van Amersfoort Racing.
Formula 3
Officially the third rung on the Road to Formula 1 ladder, Formula 3 will see a total of five former British F4 drivers showcase their talents around the world this coming season.
Headlining the list is our 2023 champion Louis Sharp, who will be leading the line for Rodin Motorsport – the team he has won two titles with in the past two years. Hotly tipped to go all the way to the top, Sharp will undoubtedly be worth keeping an eye on.
So too will American racer Ugo Ugochukwu, who is representing Prema Racing. Ugochukwu scored two wins on his way to third place in 2022, wrapping up the Rookie Cup title along the way. He has since gone on to enjoy some standout triumphs including winning the Macau Grand Prix last year.
Other names to look out for that once stood on the British F4 podium include former title contender Matías Zagazeta, Roman Bilinski and Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak.