Meridian Racing has confirmed it will switch to the BRDC F4 Championship from the next rounds at Silverstone onwards, with drivers Connor Jupp and Jai Nijjar.
The Essex-based team has been competing since 2008 in BTCC support series including Ginetta Juniors, Clio Cup, Ginetta GT Supercup and most recently Formula Ford, with a number of podium finishes and class wins. The team is also familiar with MSVR, having run cars in the MSVT Trackday Trophy series in recent years.
Before switching to F4, Meridian was fourth in the Formula Ford team standings.
Meridian Racing Team Principal Paul Abercrombie commented: “We’ve been taking a close look at the BRDC F4 Championship since its inception, and the opportunity has now presented itself for us to join the series. It’s clear that BRDC F4 is the most competitive single seater championship in the UK and we’re very excited to be taking part from this weekend onwards with Connor Jupp and Jai Nijjar. Both drivers have tested the car and are looking forward to the challenge.”
Jupp, 16, from Brentwood in Essex enjoyed a successful karting career before making his single seater debut earlier this year. Starting in national-based karting in 2008, he secured three championship titles in his first season, adding further national title successes in 2010 before taking runner-up spot in the TAG Junior Supernationals in Las Vegas in 2011 and third place in the KF3 CIK-FIA European Championships at Zuera in 2012.
Jupp made his single seater debut in Formula Ford at Oulton Park in June, securing a best result of eighth place. Jupp tested an F4 car for the first time at Bedford Autodrome last week, and is now looking forward to making his F4 debut on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
“I can’t wait to join F4 at Silverstone,” Jupp commented. “The car is fantastic to drive and the paddleshift gearbox certainly adds to the experience. F4 is a very competitive series and I’m looking forward to racing against lots of drivers who I last competed against in karting. I was able to beat them in karting, and I hope to do the same in F4!”
Nijjar experienced his first ever race car test in an MSV F4-013 machine during 80 laps of Bedford Autodrome in May. The 16-year-old had been racing in Senior Rotax karting. He finished third overall in Euromax Junior Rotax last year and qualified for the World Rotax Finals in 2012 and 2013.
Nijjar commented: “The F4 car was the first single seater I drove and the car was so much fun to drive - the power and the grip was amazing. The step up from karting means I will have a lot of work to do in testing on Friday, but I’m very excited to be making my single seater race debut this weekend, and on the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit!”
MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer commented: "I'm delighted to welcome Meridian to BRDC Formula 4. They have clearly considered the future prospects for their team and drivers very carefully and will enjoy the size and closeness of the BRDC F4 grid with the prospect of podium finishes soon."
