Douglas Motorsport has signed up the first female competitor in the new BRDC Formula 4 Championship, with 20-year-old Polish racer Malgosia Rdest making her UK debut at Silverstone next month.

Despite starting her career relatively late, Malgosia has shown much promise so far with strong results in the Polish Amateur Karting League followed by a number of victories in the KF2 category in Poland and Italy in 2010 and 2011. Last year she qualified for the Formula BMW Talent Cup, finishing 10th overall, and now sees Formula 4 as the perfect platform for the next stage in her career.

Rdest, who also becomes the championships third overseas driver, said: Formula 4 is a really huge challenge for me. Everything is brand new - the series, car and the team. Im thrilled to join Douglas Motorsport. Im also convinced that F4 is the best possible solution for me. Douglas Motorsport has a great history, vast experience and offers an individual approach towards its drivers. Moreover, all the team members are really enthusiastic about racing, just as I am! I am really looking forward to the 2013 season and cant wait for the first race!"

Team Principal Wayne Douglas added: We're really looking forward to seeing Malgosia behind the wheel of the new Formula 4 car when it arrives in only a matter of days. She joined our Driver Development Programme last year and we were very impressed with her progress as she hadn't had much single seater seat time at that point. I think we will see her spring a few surprises during the season and she will be a perfect team mate for Sennan Fielding."