The global appeal of the Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda continues to grow as the series enters its third season. During the first official test of 2018, one third of the entries represented other nations. Each year the field has expanded its international footprint with drivers ranging from China to South Africa, however, this is the first series test with such diverse representation.
“We are very pleased that the value of the F4 U.S. Championship has made itself known outside the continental United States,” SCCA Pro Racing Vice President Steve Oseth said. “The international component of our drivers will make for an extremely competitive 2018 season.”
Different aspects of the F4 U.S program attracted competitors to the MSR Houston test in Angleton, Texas, Jan. 13-14. For Century Auto Racing’s Matt Cowley of Manchester, England,
it was the stout competition and the growing grid size.
“F4 U.S. is appealing because it offers really good competition with consistent big grid sizes, and all the races are extremely close,” said Cowley, four-time national champion and Graham Peacock Trophy recipient. “This was my first time around the MSR Houston circuit. It is quite technical and challenging, but an extremely fun drive to learn the F4 car.”
For James Raven of Portsmouth, England, the unmatched value attracted him to test under DEForce Racing.
“The value for money, F4 U.S. is better than anything I’ve found in Europe,” said Raven, the 2017 Walter Hays Trophy third-place recipient. “I’ve had a good first impression of the car. I’m used to driving open wheel cars without wings, so getting used to the additional downforce wasn’t too aggressive. It made for a very nice transition.”
MSR Houston marks the first of three official tests of the 2018 F4 U.S. season. Eighteen drivers, 10 of whom were rookies, on seven teams participated.
“With fixed budgets, expanding grid sizes, tough competition and with the championship ladder introduction of F3 Americas, F4 U.S. will continue to drawl international drivers and teams. Which is great for the competitors as it gets them acquainted to the worldwide competition they’ll experience in Formula 1 or IndyCar,” Oseth said.
Teams return for their second series test at NOLA Motorsports Park March 31-April 1. More information can be found at F4USChampionship.com.
