Omani racer Faisal Al Zubair will compete in the eight race 2015 Duo BRDC Formula Autumn Trophy with Fortec Motorsports, it has been announced today (November 2). 17-year-old Al Zubair contested the 2015 main championship with Hillspeed, achieving one podium in a successful rookie season in BRDC Formula 4, finishing 16th overall despite missing two rounds across the year.
Al Zubair regularly broke into the top-10 and improved throughout the season, claiming his maiden top-three finish on the series' return to Snetterton for the sixth round of the year, with a determined drive to third in race two of the weekend.
His previous racing experience has come mostly in karts, with highlights including winning the 2013/14 Oman Senior Rotax Max Challenge Crown, and being part of the title-winning Oman Endurance Karting Championship team. Prior to BRDC Formula 4, Al Zubair’s only car racing experience came in Formula Gulf 100.
Al Zubair said: “After the release of the all-new 2016 BRDC F4 car, the decision to compete in the Autumn Trophy was of no difficulty. The increase in both power and the aerodynamic package on the car will make the transition onto the next step on the motorsports ladder a lot easier. I am excited to join Fortec, as it is a team that has proven in many arenas to be leaders. Throughout the 2015 season, we have proven that we have the pace to compete at the front. With Fortec, and the effort and work I'll be putting in, we should be fighting for top spots.”
Daniel Mitchell, Team Manager of Fortec Motorsports BRDC F4 operation, added: “We are very interested to see how Faisal gets on, the first time he will drive with us and drive the new car will be the Thursday before the first race weekend. Faisal has shown he has great potential this year in BRDC F4, our job will to make sure he is regularly fighting for podiums and hopefully get him on that top step.”
The 2015 Duo BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy will mark the race debut of the all new, more powerful Tatuus-Cosworth car with the first four races held at Snetterton on November 7/8. The final four contests will take place on the Indy Circuit at Brands Hatch on November 14/15, with the introduction of the new car enabling BRDC F4 to become the perfect stepping stone from FIA F4 and MSA Formula to European Formula 3 and GP3.
