This weekend sees the first round of the 2014 BRDC Formula 4 Championship, using Yokohama control tyres throughout the field. This year's series looks set to provide as much excitement and racing action as the inaugural season in 2013, with new and returning drivers from around the world competing in one of the most cost-effective single seat categories in motorsport.
The first year of competition was a resounding success, with 24-strong grids of identical cars at every meeting. Not only did each race weekend feature three races, each also saw superstars from motorsport, such as Mark Webber and Jenson Button on hand to present trophies as well as offer advice and support to the field.
This year, the opening round is again at Silverstone on the GP circuit and sees no less than 12 nationalities on the grid. Eight drivers are from the UK, including Struan Moore and Sennan Fielding who return for a second season. Winter Series race winner Will Palmer also drives while up-and-coming driver George Russell, who claimed 13 karting titles in five years, will make his F4 debut this weekend.
There will also be drivers from South Africa, Mexico, Venezuela, India, America, Denmark, Holland and Brazil. In fact, the Brazilian driver Gaetano di Mauro has the former Formula One driver Rubens Barrichello involved in an advisory role, providing valuable guidance throughout the season.
All will be fighting for the ultimate prize, of a test in a GP3 car at the Abu Dhabi circuit with Arden Motorsport.
Just like last year, the cars will be identical, with individual drivers able to make slight set-up changes to get the most from their machine. All will again use Yokohama ADVAN A005 dry slick and A006 wet tyres, with support from motorsport distributor, Adams & Page and Yokohama tyre technicians.
Commenting, Head of Motorsport at UK distributor Yokohama HPT Ltd, Mark Evans, said; "After the success of last year's Formula 4 Championship, I am not surprised by the size of the field, as well as the international interests of the series this year.
"Last year proved the concept beyond doubt and I think the entry list for the first round shows just how valuable a series this is. With 12 countries represented and drivers who are supported by people such as Rubens Barrichello, this is clearly one of the foremost single seater categories for drivers looking to move up the motorsport ladder.
"We will be supplying the same Yokohama ADVAN A005 and A006 tyres that the series used last year. This was the request from the organisers, based on their performance and consistency and I am delighted to be partnering the series again this year."
The race weekend begins on Saturday 26 April with qualifying followed by the first race. There are then two races on Sunday 27 April. Not only will the racing be covered extensively by Autosport magazine but it will also be broadcast on ITV4 and ITV4 HD the weekend after each race meeting.
