Successful BRDC Formula 4 Championship team SWR has given a major thumbs-up to the brand new Tatuus-Cosworth car which will arrive in the category during this November’s Autumn Trophy – and the Oxfordshire team has also confirmed an order for three of the 230bhp challengers.
Along with the rest of the BRDC F4 paddock, SWR got its first glimpse of the MSV F4-016 in action at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit last weekend where the latest generation car was demonstrated by 2014 GP2 Series champion, and Lotus F1 Team reserve driver, Jolyon Palmer.
Taking the popular BRDC F4 category closer to Formula 3 levels of performance, the replacement for the existing chassis is based on the official FIA blueprint for F4 categories across the globe. In a move to set BRDC F4 apart from the MSA Formula series in the UK, however, organising body MotorSport Vision has concentrated on providing a much more powerful car with high downforce.
“We’re all very impressed with the new Tatuus, it looks a fantastic step on from the current car and is going to make BRDC F4 an even more attractive option than it already is”, said SWR team owner Sean Walkinshaw, “As one of the teams which has been part of BRDC F4 since the first season in 2013, we’re delighted to confirm we will be replacing our existing cars with three of the new ones.
“After the disappearance of British F3 and with Formula Renault no longer in the UK, there is a clear gap in the market and BRDC F4 is going to fill that perfectly with this new car – importantly, at an affordable price too.”
The 2.0-litre Duratec engine developed by Cosworth is mated to a Sadev six-speed paddle shift gearbox, complete with limited slip differential, and with the F4-016 some 45kg lighter than the MSA Formula chassis, lap times and top speeds will be significantly faster.
Improved aerodynamics over its predecessor include a highly adjustable front wing, a two-piece rear wing and a Formula One style front splitter and rear diffuser. Additionally, the car features AP Racing brakes, twin wishbone suspension, with two-way adjustable dampers, as well as adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars.
“We’ve had three great years with the current car but this is a major step forward and is going to enable drivers to learn so much with set-up”, added Walkinshaw, “With the boosted power and performance, it’ll be a championship which can propel drivers directly into F3 in Europe and GP3. It’s still going to be achievable for 16-year-olds coming out of karting though which is very important.”
SWR is already in discussion with drivers for the Autumn Trophy, which begins on 7th/8th November at Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk, and is keen to hear from competitors interested in participating in the eight-race series in the new F4-016 and also the full 2016 championship.
