How a BTCC support series demonstrates British single-seaters’ turnaround in fortunes

There was a time, not so long ago, when top-level single-seater racing in the UK was in the doldrums. Drivers were flocking to Europe and series were struggling to survive. It is fair to say those dismal days are over.

The introduction of a new car last year transformed GB4’s faltering fortunes. GB3 is looking solid in the low-20s, with 2024 British Formula 4 dominator Deagen Fairclough eager to cast aside his disappointing season last year with a title tilt. But it is British F4 that is really generating the headlines. 

A whopping 30 drivers are already confirmed for the Donington Park opener over 18-19 April, with the possibility of at least one more to add. Such a bountiful grid, however, creates challenges of its own.

“With that many cars, there might be some mayhem kicking off,” says Mercedes junior Ethan Jeff-Hall. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s quite a few incidents and safety cars so it’s going to be super important to keep yourself calm and collected and make sure you can stay consistent.”

Qualifying will also be key and trying to complete a clean lap around some of the shorter circuits, such as Brands Hatch Indy and Silverstone National, will be nigh-on impossible. But it’s not just a case of quantity for British F4, there is plenty of quality as well.

Jeff-Hall is one of four F1 juniors and the Argenti driver is looking to pick up from where he left off last year as a stronger second half of the season netted him fifth in the standings. “If we can build on that we’ve got a good chance of running at the sharp end,” he adds.

But he is not the only driver with a British F4 win under their belt to be back for another attack. Tommy Harfield was one of the surprises of the season in 2025 when the Fiesta Junior graduate battled a lack of funding to triumph thrice and finish fourth in the table with Chris Dittmann Racing.

“I know I can win races, it’s just about being consistent,” he says. “That’s what wins you the championship – the three guys in front of me, I wouldn’t say were necessarily quicker, they just put the weekends together better and were more consistent. Last year I was probably one of the most unprepared and this year I’m fairly prepared, so no excuses!”

Harfield has winning pedigree – it’s just a matter of putting his weekends together more effectively

Photo by: JEP

Harfield admits he had several “unsurities” last year, including the budget situation, but has now been picked up by the Deus X Motorsports Academy, so that is one aspect he no longer needs to worry about. 

Another driver to make quite the impact in 2025 was McLaren junior Dries Van Langendonck, who was victorious on his Donington debut weekend in August – which coincided with his 15th birthday. He says that win “wasn’t very expected” but is now full of confidence after winning the Formula Winter Series title. “I’m aiming for the top,” says the Rodin driver, who grew up on Zolder’s doorstep. “It’s going to be tricky, but I think we’ve got quite a good chance.”

There are plenty of other sophomores to watch – such as Hitech’s three-time winner Adam Al-Azhari – and intriguing subplots to follow, including the battle of Fortec’s identical Felber twins. 

Also of interest at Donington will be how some single-seater graduates perform on their Porsche Carrera Cup GB debuts. New GB Junior Callum Voisin, the 2023 GB3 champion, has looked strong with Century Motorsport.

“I’m quietly confident. I never boast or want to toot my own horn, but I’m ready and looking forward to the season ahead” Callum Voisin

“I’m not going to put unnecessary pressure on myself because I want to enjoy the process,” says Voisin. “I’ve got two years, so I don’t need to overdrive and force results. But I’m quietly confident. I never boast or want to toot my own horn, but I’m ready and looking forward to the season ahead.”

He is joined at Century by GB4 title contender Isaac Phelps, while GB3 graduate Jack Sherwood is following in his father Justin’s footsteps by racing a Team Parker Porsche. “At the end of the year I wanted to try something new so decided to do this and I’m really enjoying it,” says Sherwood. “It’s the most fun I’ve had in years.”

Over in the Caymans of the Porsche Sprint Challenge GB, Sam Harvey (Xentek) and Joe Marshall (Parker) are likely to continue their battles from last year, while Australian sim racer Joshua Rogers is an intriguing Parker recruit. 

Meanwhile, among the JCW Minis, Tom Ovenden has decided to defend his crown with Excelr8, but Civic Cup star Max Edmundson will be one to watch in his second season of Mini competition with Pro Alloys Racing in what is sure to be another enthralling campaign for the British Touring Car supports.

This article is one of many in the monthly Autosport magazine. For more premium content, take a look at the May 2026 issue and subscribe today. 

Look out for Edmundson in his second season of Mini competition

Photo by: JEP