Daniel Guinchard will begin his title push in the ROKiT F4 British Championship certified by FIA this weekend [22-23 April] at Donington Park, Leicestershire.
The 16-year-old widely impressed with a win, six podiums and the vice-champion honours in the Rookie Cup in his maiden season in Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series last year. Guinchard also finished seventh in the outright Drivers’ standings.
Now, with that experience and a new team around him in Chris Dittmann Racing, Guinchard embarks on a second full-season campaign in British F4, with the intent to challenge for the outright championship honours.
Donington Park marks the first of 10 events for the series sophomore, with 30 races scheduled at all of the UK’s major venues, including Brands Hatch, Oulton Park and the full Grand Prix layout at Silverstone, amongst others.
“I’m hugely excited to get the new season underway,” says Guinchard. “Pre-season testing has been really useful to help iron out a few creases from last year, but there comes a point where you’re just itching to get the competitive stuff underway.
“We’ve made our ambitions crystal clear for this year; to fight for the championship. Our times in testing have been really promising, so the pace is there. Obviously, it’s a really competitive field, but I don’t think there’s any reason why we can’t be up at the sharp end, challenging, at every event.”
Tewkesbury-based CDR have also given Guinchard a fresh perspective heading into his sophomore year in the category.
“I’m loving the new environment,” explains Guinchard. “We’ve gelled so well across the winter, it’s a very supportive atmosphere. CDR place such a big emphasis on driver development, too, so that’s been useful to help me identify one or two areas where I can bring a bit more to my racing.
“Looking at their track record in other categories, they’ve always been in the ballpark to fight for wins and championships. I want to be the driver who helps replicate that success for them in F4.”
Donington Park’s 1.96-mile National circuit is the host venue for the opening three rounds of the new campaign, and Guinchard expects a typically close-fought affair.
“The racing at Donington is always action-packed,” he says. “It’s a circuit where momentum is really key, a lot of the corners flow into one another in sequence, and one mistake can cost you through the rest of the sector.
“But it’s very fun to drive, and offers plenty of overtaking opportunities, should we need them. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Following two free practice sessions on Thursday, qualifying kicks off the competitive action at 11:45 (BST) on Saturday. The opening race follows at 16:40 that afternoon, with two further races live on ITV4 on Sunday at 10:40 and 15:55 respectively.
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