Double R Racing has today, Thursday, 3rd December, completed a deal with rapid Brazilian driver Matheus Leist to remain with the squad for its move into the Duo BRDC Formula 4 Championship next year – with the intention from both team and driver to challenge for the 2016 title.
Leist, who became a race winner in MSA Formula with Double R this year during his maiden season in the UK, spearheads the Woking squad’s planned three car entry into BRDC Formula 4 as he makes the step-up into the more powerful category.
The 18-year-old, from Novo Hamburgo in Brazil, marked himself out as a very real talent during the inaugural MSA Formula campaign this year with two race victories and five other podiums on his way to fifth overall in the championship standings.
With the full-season debut for the brand new Tatuus-Cosworth BRDC F4 car taking place in 2016, the popular single-seater series is entering something of a new era and Double R team principal Anthony ‘Boyo’ Hieatt is sure Leist is the driver to help the squad mount a major push for the title.
“We’re absolutely thrilled Matheus is staying with us for the move into BRDC F4 and I’m confident he can be a realistic contender for the first championship with the new Tatuus”, said Hieatt, “It’s an exciting time for the team and with a good testing programme between now and the start of the 2016 season, I’m sure Matheus will be more than ready for the challenge.
“He’s a great talent, we had some fantastic results in MSA Formula this year and, obviously, a couple of wins and we intend to show that same level of performance in BRDC F4. Matheus also has the experience of a couple of outings in Formula 3 with us last year too, so that will be a big benefit.”
Leist, who is managed by British F3 race winner and ex-Champ Car Atlantic racer Danilo Dirani, made the move from karting to cars in 2014 where he participated in the Brazilian F3 Light Series and became a multiple podium finisher. Ending his rookie campaign as Vice-Champion, the South American claimed three outright rostrum finishes, two class victories and seven other class podiums.
In addition to his impressive MSA Formula campaign with Double R this year, Leist contested several FIA Formula 3 European Championship races with the team – in place of the injured Nicolas Pohler – and also competed in a couple of MRF Challenge contests.
Looking ahead to his graduation, Leist said: “It’s really great to be staying with the guys at Double R for the move up to BRDC F4 and I’m really looking forward to racing the new car. We had a strong season this year in MSA Formula and I know we can do the same again next year in the BRDC series.
“The car is a big step on from the car I raced this year, it’s very quick and has a lot of grip from the aero – I’m really impressed by it. Hopefully we can have some strong preparation over the winter and push for wins and the championship. I know Double R will give me a great car.”
Snetterton 300 Circuit in Norfolk will host the opening three races of the 2016 Duo BRDC Formula 4 Championship over the weekend 27th/28th March next year.
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