SPEAKER_04 0:01

Hello and welcome to Friday Night F4, the exclusive podcast for the Vera Tools British F4 Championship, certified by FIA. It is so good to be back track side for this first weekend of the new season, as Donington Park in Leicestershire hosts the Championship Opener. And keep your eyes and ears open this weekend throughout the coverage for the aircraft taking off and landing right overhead, as we are directly under the flight path for East Midlands Airport just next door. A packed grid of 31 cars a record entry is raring to go around this fabulous, undulating and challenging national circuit, the perfect venue for what promises to be a fabulous British F4 season. And we have a bumper podcast for you this evening with lots of guests and plenty of great F4 chat. We also have contributions from you, the loyal British F4 fans, as we hear some of the messages sent in ahead of this weekend's racing. There'll be some more detail later on about how you can get involved throughout the season, so listen up. So how is this weekend going to pan out? 31 drivers, a truly international mixed bag of rookies and returnees, all focused on points, podiums, and perfect performances. After yesterday's free practice, where there was so little time from front to back of the grid, I think it's fair to say anyone making a prediction this early in the season is being very, very brave. Will experience from last season win the day, or will a newcomer steal the show? Who do you think will leave Donington Park with silverware and a hall of points? Which team will emerge as front runners and who will go away with some thinking to do before the next weekend? So many questions, so many variables, but this is what keeps us all glued to this world-class championship that is often referred to as the beginning of the journey for those looking to reach the pinnacle of motorsport. Is there another Lando Norris lining up on the grid this weekend? Time will tell, and there is plenty of brilliant racing coming up to help you decide. And who are you going to cheer for throughout the season as we travel the UK and across the channel to Zanvoort to some iconic racing circuits? You may have to decide who are your favourites. It all begins tomorrow, but for now sit back and enjoy Friday Night F4 from Donnington Park.

SPEAKER_11 2:42

Coming up on Friday Night F4.

SPEAKER_04 2:44

Coming up this week. Joining me in the studio in the F4 Race Centre will be high tech team manager Dominic Scott, plus a Scandinavian delegation comprising Leon Hedford, Scott Lindblund, and Bergard Flemington. Chris Dippman racing teammates Daniela Stutton and Henry Mercia dropped by to look forward to this weekend. And we'll also hear some of the Instagram voice messages sent to us by fans and read out some of the preseason comments that dropped in our inbox. But first, I caught up with championship manager Eve Lakrage, the latest from the behind the scenes of the Vera Tools British F4 Championship about who sponsors and what to expect this weekend. Well, Eve, here we are. I know we spoke a couple of weeks ago and we said we're really looking forward to it. Media Day. We were both smiling, both excited, and now we're on the site. And we we've got jumpers on because it's cold. Johnnington Park uh at this time of the year. It's four seasons in one day, potentially, isn't it?

SPEAKER_10 3:46

It really is. We had uh well we've been here since Wednesday, and I think we had uh it was beautiful sunshine when we arrived, t-shirts, and then by the end of the day, thunderstorms.

SPEAKER_04 3:56

Yeah, yeah, and I think that might continue this weekend, mustn't it? But uh fantastic. The season starts here. I know that uh you were here yesterday when free practice was going on. What was it like when all of those cars, this record grid, filed out of the uh the pit lane to go on their free practice sessions?

SPEAKER_10 4:14

Uh it was a pretty special moment actually. It was um, I mean we're all really proud of what we've achieved, but yeah, when you see them all lined up uh and the noises, they all went out, it was uh it was pretty special. What was funny is obviously you watch them go and then they're still going and the cars were already going on set and they're still going. They're still going. So yeah, it's uh yeah, it's been pretty special and a nice moment for the whole team.

SPEAKER_04 4:36

I and it was interesting looking at the timing as well. I mean, there was under a couple of seconds, I think, between front and back for some some of the drivers who you know don't have much experience at Donnington Park, which was a staggering small amount, wasn't it?

SPEAKER_10 4:49

Oh, 100%. I think at one point in the morning session I looked and there was uh 26 cars just a like a second between them. So yes, it's it's gonna be a really, really close season.

SPEAKER_04 4:59

Close is possibly the operative word. 31 cars, redgate corner.

SPEAKER_10 5:04

Yeah, yeah. I think the the I think the word on the street though is that this is gonna be one of the most competitive seasons we've seen in British Air Force. So I just think what a way to set up the season.

SPEAKER_04 5:14

Absolutely. And there we go, right on queue from East Midlands. I mentioned in my introduction uh to this evening's podcast that you should keep your ears and eyes open for the planes going over. I wonder where that one's going. I bet they're going off somewhere nice and warm. I know. Just this morning we were watching one was going off down to Faro in Portugal, and I looked at the weather forecast down there, and it's 24 degrees.

SPEAKER_10 5:35

Uh oh, if only right.

SPEAKER_04 5:37

Anyway, we move on. Now, uh since we uh last spoke a couple of weeks ago, uh Ella Lloyd has rejoined. Fantastic news.

SPEAKER_10 5:46

Yeah, so she's doing a few rounds with us, which is it's great to have Ella back. We love Ella and uh yeah, having her F1 Academy, but to be able to have a couple of British F4 rounds alongside to compliment and still welcome her back to the paddock. It's I mean it's good to have her back.

SPEAKER_04 6:00

It's good to see Ella who who is lovely uh and uh and great to chat to. It's good to see her career developing with the the the F1 Academy as well, isn't it? She's she's turning into a very tidy driver there, and yet a lot of experience under about that.

SPEAKER_10 6:16

She really is, and that is one of the nice things about British Four. I think you capture them at such a young age uh and then to be able to see them grow into you know the great not just great drivers but the great people that they are now as well.

SPEAKER_04 6:27

And we've often it's often been said, hasn't it, that this championship, which which has a global reach, as we know from the uh entry list this year, is where the journey begins for these drivers. We can name drop, can't we? Lando. We have to mention Lando. It seems rude not to. But I mean it's true, isn't it? I mean and and it begs the question uh 31 drivers on the grid this year, but is there a Lando Norris there?

SPEAKER_10 6:54

I think the I think you know the numbers would say there's a definitely a possibility. Statistically speaking. That's the word I was looking for. Statistically speaking, that's easy for you to say.

SPEAKER_04 7:03

Absolutely brilliant. Now, um at uh Media Day, you teased us with some new sponsors that you couldn't uh mention at that time. But uh but now you can. So who's come on board?

SPEAKER_10 7:13

Uh so we've got Codola, um watch that's a watch brand, so they're going to be doing our pole position award. Um we loved it, we love the pole position award. I think it's uh it's a very professional addition to the to the championship. So uh and the watches, I'm not sure if you've seen them, we've got a few pictures dotting around, but they are pretty nice looking watches.

SPEAKER_04 7:31

Very smart. There's a very large one on the display just to your left, isn't there? As you come into the uh the F4 race centre, they are very smart. I I I have mentioned to some of the drivers that if they get regular pole positions and and hence end up with more than one watch, I'm I'm always happy to help them out.

SPEAKER_10 7:47

Yeah, and you know the great thing, I mean, uh the same, but um the great thing is that they um it's not just like one watch, it's the they've got all different ones, so we've got a we've got a variety. So I think it's gonna be and they've got some they're sort of like a racing watch brand, that's kind of like their ethos. So it's it's gonna be really nice to see how the drive how those are received by the drivers. But yeah.

SPEAKER_04 8:09

There's definitely a few I'm eyeing up. Yeah, I guess, I guess because of your position, you get first dibs.

SPEAKER_10 8:15

Again, I wish that was the case. I think you think there's a lot more perks to this drink.

SPEAKER_04 8:19

Okay, Codola, welcome to them. Great to have them on board. Who else?

SPEAKER_10 8:22

Um so we've got Bell, um, obviously the well-known brand Bell Racing, um, but they are so they've got a sort of two-pronged um thing. So they are doing the it's each weekend it's the most overtakes across the three races, so that the driver that achieves that will win a piece of race uh Bell luggage.

SPEAKER_08 8:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 8:40

Um and then at the end of the season, the person that's had the most overtake throughout the season um get a complimentary helmet of a you know, a a a really high spec that will take them forward in their career. So that's I mean that's an amazing prize because both both of those worth having, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 8:56

And those Bell helmets are you know, we talk a lot about the cost of motorsport, don't we? And the people forget, you know, you've got Nomex three-layer, you've got the suit, you've got the boots, you got and the helmets, which are all bespoke done, aren't they? They're um that that's a good prize, a good prize to have. Fantastic. So welcome to them. Well done, Bell. Who else?

SPEAKER_10 9:14

And then we also have Marsh Sport, so they are um their insurance provider, probably racing insurance. So um, so yeah, it's really, really great to welcome them. It's gonna be nice to see them around the paddock um getting to know the teams. So that'd be great.

SPEAKER_04 9:27

Insurance in racing.

SPEAKER_10 9:29

Exactly, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 9:32

I'm sure that welcome to them. Well, absolutely. We hope they enjoy their association. All of those three sponsors, and all the sponsors uh who enable us all to go racing and uh and support uh by being here and uh and supporting the driver. So welcome to them. What's gonna happen this weekend?

SPEAKER_10 9:49

What's gonna happen this weekend? I think we're all just gonna go out and have a nice time.

SPEAKER_04 9:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_10 9:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 9:54

I th I think that's it is that's the key to it. There's no point in making any predictions yet, is there?

SPEAKER_10 9:59

No, I don't think so. I mean, I think there's obviously gonna be some um certainly some of the returning drivers you'd like to think that they're gonna be out there, but again, it's such a competitive field. Um I think what's just gonna be really nice is that uh there's gonna be a lot of them and we're hopeful that we can have some clean competitive racing. But it's a learning formula, so I think it's just gonna it's just gonna be one to watch, isn't it? I think it's just gonna be exciting to see what they can all do.

SPEAKER_04 10:24

Absolutely. Um we spoke at Media Day about you having to rethink the class of 2026 photograph because there are now so so many drivers. Have you got a plan?

SPEAKER_10 10:36

Uh like on each other's shoulders, maybe. Excellent, that'd be go higher but not wider. I'm up for that. That would be great.

SPEAKER_04 10:43

The smiles on their faces will be good to see. Um it's uh Donnington Park is one of those fabulous circuits that uh um I love. Um I I drove around here many, many years ago. It's so undulating, it changes, but it's a beautiful setting, and I I suspect we're gonna have an absolute sell-out crowd here this weekend, which is good, isn't it? They're all gonna be keen to to watch the uh the F4 part of the the Toka package. But we know that from from some of the messages that have been coming in via Instagram, which is good. You know, people are looking forward to to the season, but uh big crowds again, big following, social media's up, the interest is up, the TV coverage. It's gonna be a great season, isn't it?

SPEAKER_10 11:22

It really is, and we've got the um the edition of Saturday live stream now as well. So I think that's just uh getting the brands even closer, I guess. So yeah, it's great. I I mean hopefully we get the weather for it, and uh but it would be it we're very happy to welcome the fans uh back to Donnington. So yeah.

SPEAKER_04 11:39

Absolutely. Well, you're a star of the podcast, and now we've got the Saturday coverage. Are we gonna get you on the tally as well? Oh, you watch me with your with your call Cordola watch on.

SPEAKER_10 11:50

Oh yeah, I'll be on the What Times Assembly area.

SPEAKER_04 11:53

We've we've got it off to a T already. Fantastic, what a great way to kick off uh the season here, Dominican Park. Good to see you.

SPEAKER_10 12:00

Yeah, and you thank you.

SPEAKER_04 12:01

Next up, high tech team manager Dominic Stott, no stranger to race wins for both drivers and as a team. He dropped by to look ahead to the 2026 season. And I started by asking him how strong is this year's driver lineup?

SPEAKER_01 12:18

Yeah, we're looking good. Um I think the grid in general is looking very strong. Obviously, um big grid this year. Um, so yeah, we've worked hard on our lineup and hopefully hopefully we've got it right. Um, but yeah, we'll have a go as we do every year.

SPEAKER_04 12:34

It's interesting. Uh we'll talk about about your team at high tech in a moment, but it's interesting looking at the sort of wider international level now, and there's some some drivers coming in, there's a big contingent from from the USA, and that they're fired up uh for this. Plus, we've got last year's returnees who are fired up because they've got a a year of experience, and then we've got some rookies coming in who are fired up because it's their first season in F4. I think fired up's going to be my word of the day here. But but just from Media Day, they've they've all got that uh back to school look in their eyes, haven't they?

SPEAKER_01 13:07

Yeah, it's another another different year. Obviously, um the British F4 grid is looking really strong. Um, like you said, uh at a big international lineup. I think we've managed to sneak a British flag on one of our cars for Theo, but um, yeah, the most international we've had. Um, but it's another uh mix of drivers and uh it should be should be very interesting.

SPEAKER_04 13:29

Let's let's talk about um your uh contingent. Theo had a good uh free practice session uh or two yesterday, didn't he? Uh which means he's come uh you know to Donington Park, box uh car out of the box looking confident.

SPEAKER_01 13:43

Yeah, he's in a good place at the moment. Um he's worked hard over the the winter. Um we were out racing in the Middle East, um doesn't feel like we've stopped since last October. But um yeah, he's been he's been really strong, he just seems to be in a good place. Um the others are working on various bits and hopefully we'll be near the front uh on Saturday, but you never really know until the flag drops, so we'll see.

SPEAKER_04 14:10

So talk me through the rest of the scene.

SPEAKER_01 14:12

Um so we've got obviously Theo Palmer who's come to us, um did part season last year um and looking to really progress this year, um, and again winning a race out in the Middle East, um looking strong. Um we've got Adam Alazari who's come across from another team. Um so yeah, he won races last year, so hoping for more of the same. Um Scott Kinlenblom um and Chiara Batig, the two Red Bull juniors, um again just looking for strong results. I think this year is gonna be really about um you know putting it all together and just consistently scoring points. Um there's a lot of drivers out there, so you know it's last year some people might be happy with the top ten, but it it's uh we've we've talked to our drivers, it's really about how many drivers are behind you now. Like there's you know, if you're 10th, there's 20 odd cars instead of 10 behind you. So it's gonna be about getting in the points and just trying to score consistently across the 10 weekends.

SPEAKER_04 15:17

31 cars on the grid, a record entry. Uh it brings with it a number of challenges, not least of all because the tracks are the same size, yet we've got additional cars on the grid. I mean, is is that a conversation that that you're having with your drivers as well? You know, that that that element of the racecraft bit and spatial awareness, what's around you, is important.

SPEAKER_01 15:40

I think so. I mean, for us, I I feel sorry for Eve, who I've just taken her seat because uh I think it's probably more stress for her than me. But um for us, we we race in other championships where there's you know upwards of 30 cars, so um we're kind of used to it. Uh it's tricky on the smaller tracks, there's gonna be a lot of traffic, so a bit of management there and and just keeping the drivers cool if they if they do hit traffic. But um we've run four cars for the past four seasons, so we for us it's business as usual. I think um hopefully it benefits us that other teams are expanding and maybe getting used to that while we're kind of yeah, carrying on as we were. So um, yeah, it's a challenge. Um like I said, some of the tracks it's gonna be busy, but um it's not something we haven't done before.

SPEAKER_04 16:31

Absolutely. Now you're no stranger to uh both driver wins and and team wins, uh you and and high tech. And of course we go back to that time at Silverstone where you you just commanded the uh the podium effectively, didn't you? On uh on that weekend, which was tremendous. Is that level of consistency doable? Uh or does it bring additional pressure? The more successful you are, does it bring extra pressure?

SPEAKER_01 16:59

Yeah, I think so. I think obviously the drivers that come to us uh are coming to a race-winning team, so they expect to be to be race-winning, and sometimes there's a bit of a reality check that you can't just jump in a silver car or blue car and be quick. So um we do what we do. We're we're here to to try and win. Um, you know, things keep pushing us forward um every year. Um yeah, we wouldn't come back if we were trying to make up the numbers. So um yeah, it's difficult. It's difficult now we've had the same car for a few years, so you know, trying to find that extra small bit and it's small bits every time. So um I think really now across the grid it's it's about getting all the small details right, and if you can do that, then um you should be there or thereabouts.

SPEAKER_04 17:52

How is it going gelling the four drivers together as part of the high-tech family? Because last year you had your hands full because you had four drivers. It's a bit karma this year. Yeah, I mean they were great, I mean they really were good fun. They were a nightmare to interview uh on occasions because when they got together, they just bounced off each other, which was lovely to see. Um, but I mean you say you've got a bit karma this year. How how is that going? Because you've got again four different characters.

SPEAKER_01 18:20

No, it's really good. I think I I think we've said before, we've talked about it, it's about getting the four drivers in our team, in our truck, to work together, and um there's definitely some different personalities, but um, you know, they're all working together already really well, and um Scott and Theo have been with us since kind of October, November. Um, Chiara has been in and out, she went to do a different series over the winter. Adam was with a different team in in the Middle East, so but they've all come together, and recently we've we've done a lot of um private testing away from everyone else, um, and it's really got them working together, and you know, to have a group of strong drivers, they we try and make them realise that they need to look at each other, and that's where they're gonna find the gains. Trying to work on your own doesn't help you, so pushing each other, one might be quicker in turn one, might one might be quicker in turn two, and they need to grab all that information, it's all there for them. And what we do in our awning in our truck is is all work together, so I think they kind of feed off that, which is which is really good. But yeah, it's definitely a bit calmer.

SPEAKER_04 19:34

But um I met all of them at Media Day, and uh obviously Theo and and Adam we we just picked up from last year uh on on what they were going on. Chiara uh was lovely, um, as was Scott. And I'm just looking at the the um I always look at the photographs from the teams on on the website to see who smiles in the photographs. And Chiara, Theo, and Adam are all smiling, but Scott's very serious.

SPEAKER_01 19:56

Yeah, he's he's probably actually the one that smiles the most. Is he?

SPEAKER_04 19:59

Is he is he the joker in the pack? I mean, he's always a joker in the pack. I'll ask him about that later.

SPEAKER_01 20:04

He's the youngest, I think. So right. But I mean, yeah, we've had they've been with us for a few months now, and it's you see them maturing and changing already, and just big being more confident in the group that's around them, knowing that we're there for them, and and and they want to make us proud as well, which is really nice, you know. When we've had little setbacks in testing or racing so far, they they almost feel like they're letting us down, but it's it we're all there together, you know.

SPEAKER_04 20:31

So um so this weekend points, podiums, consistency, no dramas. That's the is that the briefest.

SPEAKER_01 20:41

Yeah, I mean, look, there's I think there's a favourite out there, um, probably getting all the noise at the moment, um, and we're there to um make sure that we're in the fight. I think Donnington, the first round, hasn't always been our strongest. Um, you know, it's a it's a different step for the drivers, there's a lot of fans, there's you know, it's but we've done as much as we can, and uh we'll try and get some good results. And I think we're in the mix for sure. Um it's just putting it together. It was close yesterday testing, so yeah, if we can if we can get the small details right, um, then we should be in the mix. But there's a lot of good drivers out there this year.

SPEAKER_04 21:20

There are, it is a strong grid, and I think there was uh under two seconds, wasn't there, from front to back on a on a free practice day. Now we know you know people have different setups and they're they're doing different things, and it's always nice to to have the bragging rights from one of those sessions, but it is close, it's gonna be close in qualifying and it's gonna be close in racing.

SPEAKER_01 21:38

Yeah, for sure. Like the top few were separated by less than half a tenth, I think, yesterday. So, you know, that's less than a blink of an eye.

SPEAKER_04 21:46

So it is, it's gonna be a great season. Really good to um see you. I'm I'm very impressed with this new husky voice that you've developed.

SPEAKER_01 21:53

It's got nothing to do with any karaoke that was carried out.

SPEAKER_04 21:56

Ah okay, it's right, come on, fess up. What is your Your your jam, your the go to karaoke song.

SPEAKER_01 22:03

Well uh uh my favourite band actually is uh a band called Nisloppy. The JCB song, I don't know if you've heard of it, but um we we had to do a little bit of that last night.

SPEAKER_04 22:13

Nisloppy?

SPEAKER_01 22:14

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 22:15

What are they what are they who are they? What do they do? What are they for?

SPEAKER_01 22:17

Oh they got a Christmas number one many years ago um with the JCB song and uh I think actually Lando Norris gave him a shower the other day, so it now sounds like I'm copying him, but yeah.

SPEAKER_04 22:27

Nisloppy the JCB song fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 22:30

Yeah but you were you any good?

SPEAKER_04 22:31

Did you get a round of applause?

SPEAKER_01 22:32

I think so, I guess.

SPEAKER_04 22:33

No, I've well it's sounding good to me.

SPEAKER_01 22:35

Um I've also got to do the guys in the team wanted me to do this because they want to know people listening to this, if anyone wants to come, if anyone says comes to our awning and says they've heard this podcast and the first one to come and say it over the weekend will get a high-tech hat. I've promised. Wow. So there you go, there's a little giveaway.

SPEAKER_04 22:56

The first person to come to the high-tech awning uh in the sport paddock here at Donington Park and sing the JCB song, let's say here. Oh, that's pushing it. But if that if they come and find find one on the team and say, I listen to Dominic on the podcast, you'll get a high-tech.

SPEAKER_01 23:10

Yeah, we'll even get the drivers to sign it.

SPEAKER_04 23:12

Look at that, that's a cracking offer to the season. Dom, as always, an absolute pleasure to catch up with you. You have a fabulous Donnington, but moreover, a really good season as well. Thank you. Great to hear from Dominic and remember that great offer of a high-tech hat for the first person to go to their awning in the support paddock and say they heard the podcast, and maybe remind them about the JCB song. Not that any proof was needed, but the British F4 has a truly international appeal, and this year it's more noticeable than ever. In last week's season preview, we heard from drivers from the USA, and now we move to Scandinavia. First up, Scott Kin Lindblom and Leon Hedfers, who are old adversaries from their karting days. What have you been up to since uh I spoke to you last, Scott?

SPEAKER_11 24:01

Yeah, I mean obviously just doing some uh some testing. Um I wasn't at the the Donnington day where we were at Croft just doing laps, um, and then I've obviously just been at home and doing doing some uh time on the sim.

SPEAKER_04 24:16

Yeah, yeah, which we which we've talked about, haven't we? And how the sim is slightly different to being actually on the track here. Liam, what about you? What have you been up to?

SPEAKER_02 24:23

Um yeah, just uh the testing uh together with the team, uh making sure to spend some time with my family as well, uh, and with my little brother who's always away. Uh yeah, just training and just prepping for um this race weekend and the coming weeks as well.

SPEAKER_04 24:37

Yeah, we'll we'll talk about that in detail in a minute, but you two know each other from karting days, don't you? Yeah, you're both smiling, which is good. So friendly competition, which which is uh which is good. Um uh Leon, just uh let's let's start with you. Um the testing session yesterday, were you happy with how that went?

SPEAKER_02 24:54

Um no, uh we're struggling a lot uh with pace. We we had some few issues that I think we've fixed uh for now. Um so yeah, just uh we look at the things I can do better, uh, and I'll do that better for tomorrow and then try and optimize everything. But enough days just for us to get an understanding of things, but um for sure was not ideal yesterday, uh as we were not where we want to be at all. But um, I'm sure we can bounce back.

SPEAKER_04 25:19

Yeah, it was only a test day. That's the whole that's the whole point of testing, isn't it? Is to and free practices to find out where you need to improve. But you're smiling, which is good. You're both smiling. Fantastic. Apart from, Scott, on the photograph, your official photograph on the website, yeah. You're the only one in the team not smiling.

SPEAKER_11 25:34

Yeah. Yeah, you smile all the time. Yeah. I don't know. This thing just serious, maybe. I'm not sure.

SPEAKER_04 25:42

Now I know that you had some frustrations as well, Scott, with uh with testing yesterday, didn't you? Um not having had a great deal of time around here at Domington. But uh like Leon, I guess you know where you can pick up that time and how you can improve.

SPEAKER_11 25:54

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I know for sure. Just obviously looking at data and just uh trying to find the the biggest time losses and uh just try to go on track and and obviously do do it better.

SPEAKER_04 26:07

Yeah, absolutely. Um now uh away from the racetrack, obviously you don't have a vast amount of time either of you. You're on the sim or you're travelling or or doing whatever else. But um I mean Scott, you were saying to me home for you is about two hours north of Stockholm. So I've already got this picture of somewhere quite remote with lots of snow and a good drive to the nearest store. Is that does that about sum it up?

SPEAKER_11 26:28

Yeah, I mean I mean kind of. Um we are in a small village, uh about 3,000 people, and then we have two two uh bigger towns like 25 minutes away. Uh and obviously we have a we have a small a small shop which I just a walking distance.

SPEAKER_04 26:46

That's not that's not too remote, then is it? It's not so bad. No, not not as bad as it could be. What about you, Leon? What about home for you?

SPEAKER_02 26:52

Uh uh I live in Stockholm, so it's quite in Stockholm itself right now. I live 10 minutes out um by this suburban town. Um, but there's a lot of shops there. Uh there's also walking distance for me. Uh, but yeah, it's quite close to the sea. Uh the water like comes in. Uh yeah, just a lot of nature also integrated, which is quite nice, especially like when you're always in on the racetrack and always by cars and stuff, you can just go home and just go away from everything, which is nice. Yeah. Um, and there's also golf courses there. I'm not that good at golf, but it's nice with the nature there. Um, but yeah, no, it's it's quite nice and calm there, especially. I think if I were to live in the city centre of Stockholm, I have friends that do that. It's it's quite hectic, like with the subway, there's always a lot of people and the traffic and everything. Like it's yeah, it's it's a bit nice to go with your mates in there and eat food and buy stuff, but you I wouldn't want to like live there because I like to be far away of it sometimes.

SPEAKER_04 27:45

Okay, maybe you could move him as well because he's in remote, isn't he? I mean, I know you mentioned golf. Are you uh you say you're not very good at it? No. Okay, fair enough. What about are you you are you a golfer, Scott?

SPEAKER_11 27:56

Uh no. Okay. Absolutely not.

SPEAKER_04 27:58

I don't know what it is about golf, it doesn't do it for me, but lots of lots of the drivers in the in different championships all want to play golf. Yeah, which I don't know, goodness me. Uh Scott, you and I were talking before uh about um languages, uh and you both speak absolutely brilliant English. I have no Swedish whatsoever. I struggle with uh a couple of other European languages. But you were saying to me that it's sort of if you're a racing driver, it's almost expected that you will speak English. Um it and and that seems to be the norm.

SPEAKER_11 28:28

Yeah, I mean it's I think it depends on the country you're racing in almost. But uh I'm not really sure why or how. I just think that it's expected for people to speak English in a way. I'm I'm not sure to be honest.

SPEAKER_04 28:43

Yeah. I what about you, Leon? Do you I and your English is is excellent, that as is uh Scots. I mean, do you speak any other languages?

SPEAKER_02 28:49

Um yeah, I speak Swedish. Uh huh. Obviously. I can speak a bit Persian with my mum, not that much. Persian, okay. Um and I learned German in school, but I don't remember anything really.

SPEAKER_04 29:01

Wow. So do you use Persian at home?

SPEAKER_02 29:03

Um no really. My mum speaks, she's lived in Sweden since she was like ten. Wow. Um but if you go karting in Italy, then they expect you to know fluent Italian.

SPEAKER_05 29:11

Do they?

SPEAKER_02 29:12

Yeah. Right. Because they don't know any English really, so um yeah.

SPEAKER_04 29:16

Yeah, they are really bad at English to be honest. Yeah, it's the Italians are, okay. Well, hopefully they won't be listening to this. They probably wouldn't understand, I think. So did you uh did you have to learn some Italian then?

SPEAKER_11 29:27

Um I mean I I only got to to know the the bad words really.

SPEAKER_04 29:32

Yeah. I well don't say them now. Um what do you think is gonna happen this weekend? We've got 31 cars on the grid, um which is uh which is quite a lot uh for the championship, a record number for the championship. Um lots of people wanting to get points uh in the bag, podiums as well. How do you think this weekend is gonna play out? Scott, what do you think? Oh now there's the air reprep. You have to get used to that this weekend. I think people hear that. There's an aircraft going. We're right next to uh East Midlands Airport, and we get those coming in all the time. You probably did you see them yesterday when you were when you were doing free practice taking off, and they're really low, aren't they? But uh anyway, sorry. Sc Scott, what's gonna play out this weekend? What do you think?

SPEAKER_11 30:17

I mean I've for myself or yeah. I mean, I think it's it's obviously it's it's hard to predict what's gonna happen. Uh but I'm obviously hoping for for uh for myself to take a lot of points on the board and just finish consistently in uh a good position. Just grab as much points as possible, really.

SPEAKER_04 30:36

Yeah, and Leon, same for you, I guess.

SPEAKER_02 30:38

Um yeah, just constantly improving and yeah, just getting better and better and being consistent and always being in the mix. Um I think obviously with there being so many cars on this track and the track is only 3.1 kilometers and it's a 60 second left time almost. Um I think traffic will be a thing probably. Um hopefully everyone is more or less in the same run plan because it's quality and not practice. So I think it'll be a bit time bit messy, but I mean you just gotta get a lap in and also the feel it's very close, like it's very small margins, so um like a small thing, a small improvement can set you up quite nicely. Yeah. Um so I think that's gonna play a key part as well.

SPEAKER_04 31:16

Yeah, and and possibly the weather as well. We've had sunshine and rain within one hour or half an hour uh here at uh at Donington in the past. Uh now um meeting the fans, uh British F4 has a big following, uh, and on Saturday you have the the autograph uh signing session where the fans come in and it's always really busy. Are you looking forward to that, meeting the fans up close?

SPEAKER_11 31:35

I mean it it it's something different for sure.

SPEAKER_04 31:37

Yeah.

SPEAKER_11 31:38

And uh I've never done that ever. Oh, okay. I did I did uh Janetta at the British TT weekend, yeah. Um and it was just a lot of people, really, everywhere. But I've never done an audigraph session, so it's exciting.

SPEAKER_04 31:52

Have you practiced your your signature with a selfie just so it looks really cool?

unknown 31:56

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 31:57

Is it a scribble or did you do a proper name?

SPEAKER_11 32:00

I mean, you you'll have to be a judge of that.

SPEAKER_04 32:02

Okay, brilliant. We'll we'll check on that one, Liam. What about you?

SPEAKER_02 32:05

Um yeah, I practice it in school and I'm really bored, and like the teacher is just waffling and just look at my pen and paper, like I'm gonna I'm gonna just try something. Um and the guy that sits next to me, my mate, he always like, What are you doing in paper? Like, I'm just bored.

SPEAKER_04 32:20

Um just practicing my signature for autograph sessions.

SPEAKER_02 32:22

Uh but the first time I do some meet uh the first time I meet fans, so that'll be cool. Um but I mean it's good that they have a someone follows the championship, obviously, because yeah, um, I mean that attracts people to watch a championship and to compete in one.

SPEAKER_04 32:34

Yeah. Um absolutely. You mentioned school. Um what's oh that was a grimace or a smile. I can't work out which are you are you a good student?

SPEAKER_02 32:42

Um depends who you ask.

SPEAKER_04 32:44

Okay.

SPEAKER_02 32:44

I'm asking you. Uh I I I I'm quite I'm quite chillish.

SPEAKER_04 32:48

What's your best subject?

SPEAKER_02 32:49

Uh maybe English actually. Oh, okay. Yeah, because the English level on my school is very low. Um you're actually very good. Actually very good. If I find her English school, then I would just be mediocre.

SPEAKER_04 32:59

Genius. Are are you still at school, Scott? You don't so what are your best subjects?

SPEAKER_11 33:04

Uh I think it's uh like history and geography. It's my my strong and always English. Yeah. That's my my strong subject.

SPEAKER_04 33:13

I I would well you both get A plus from me for your English if I was if I was judging it. Really good to uh to see you both. Um have a great weekend uh and a brilliant season, and I've no doubt that we'll uh we'll catch up throughout the season as well as you step down off the podium because you're gonna get podiums, aren't you? Hopefully, yeah, fingers crossed. Absolutely. Really good to see you guys, thank you. Thank you. Continuing the Scandy theme, our genty driver Vergard Clemenson dropped by bringing a little bit of Norway to Donnington Park. Vergaard, good to uh see you. The start of the season, part of uh this edition of Friday Night F4's podcast, Scandinavian contingent. Whereabouts uh in Scandinavia are you from? I'm from Norway. Norway, so okay, so we've got a good Swedish contingent and you're the Norwegian representative. Where about whereabouts in Norway uh?

SPEAKER_03 34:03

It's like in the middle of the country, more uh more up north.

SPEAKER_04 34:05

Okay, is that is that quite remote? Do you live in a fairly remote area?

SPEAKER_03 34:09

Yeah, quite it's quite remote, so we don't have a lot of uh racing drivers coming out coming out of there, so uh it's quite rare to see someone from where I'm from going uh going in motorsport.

SPEAKER_04 34:20

Okay, so are you a hero in your town then? Are you like a celebrity because you're uh you're in these championships?

SPEAKER_03 34:26

No, I wouldn't say so, but uh It'd be great if you were though, wouldn't it? Yeah, maybe maybe if I win some more then uh hopefully I'll be a hero.

SPEAKER_04 34:34

That's the key to it, and that is the key to it. So um Donnington Park, start of uh of the season. Um you've had uh a little bit of time around here, including free practice. Uh how did that go for you?

SPEAKER_03 34:45

It was quite quite okay. Uh top ten in the first one, and then uh P13 in the uh in the last second session. So uh I think we're just trying to find the grips with the car, and uh yeah, obviously I don't have a lot of experience in the car. I only have uh like 10 test days up until now. So uh yeah, just trying to figure out the limit and uh yeah, just doing my best.

SPEAKER_04 35:06

A big grid this year, a record grid for the British F4 Championship 31 cars, which is going to make it quite interesting, isn't it? Because that's an awful lot of people trying to get around some quite tight tracks we have here in the in the UK. Has has have you been already sort of considering that as part of your your approach to your racing?

SPEAKER_03 35:27

Yeah, of course, it's uh it's really challenging with that many drivers on the track. Like yesterday, even when we did a quality run, um I got some traffic, that's why I I came quite far back. So uh it's it's quite tricky when you have that many drivers on the track. So uh it will be be hard.

SPEAKER_04 35:42

How much uh how much time have you had uh learning the the various tracks here on the sim?

SPEAKER_03 35:47

I'm not uh on the sim. Uh I did one sim day. Uh one here at Donington. So I had one day.

SPEAKER_04 35:54

Wow, do you have a sim at home?

SPEAKER_03 35:56

Yeah, I do. Okay.

SPEAKER_04 35:57

So is it like a big rig with three screens and all the bells and whistles?

SPEAKER_03 36:02

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 36:02

I mean that's essential nowadays, is though, isn't it? If you if you're taking your racing seriously, if you're a professional racing driver, you you need that uh that sort of a rig to learn the circuit.

SPEAKER_03 36:11

Yeah, I think uh sim is quite key anywhere, to be honest. Like it gives you it gives you a big upper hand, so yeah, I think it's it's really important to have a proper sim.

SPEAKER_04 36:20

How are you settling in with uh with Argenti and your teammates?

SPEAKER_03 36:24

Yeah, it's gone quite good to be honest. Uh really lovely guys, so uh getting to grips with the team.

SPEAKER_04 36:30

I was I was speaking to um to Scott and Leon before um about languages, and your English is brilliant, as is theirs. Uh my Scandinavian, any of those languages I'm lost on. Um but it you know they were saying to me that it's sort of essential for racing drivers to have English as a as a second language when when you go around the world now. I mean is that something that was conscious for you when you were moving into racing, or was it was it something you would have done anyway?

SPEAKER_03 36:55

No, not really. I think uh in Scandinavia it's uh essential to have English. We all we all learn English in school, so it's just it's just a natural natural thing from like uh kindergarten where we learn English and uh you watch YouTube and everything, it's English, so yeah, we just learn English from uh from a very young age and uh yeah, it's just nothing I think about to go on.

SPEAKER_04 37:15

Although they were saying to me that if you drive in Italy, they all expect you to speak Italian.

SPEAKER_03 37:20

No, not really, speak English there as well.

SPEAKER_04 37:23

Fair enough. Um what uh looking ahead to the to uh the season, um if we think about perhaps the halfway stage, we've got sort of four rounds and then we have a um a short uh short break, and there's there's some other racing which isn't part of uh of the championship uh coming up as well. And we've got the Zandvoort to look forward to. Um what are you hoping where where are you hoping to be by the halfway stage of the season?

SPEAKER_03 37:46

In the halfway stage, it's hard to say. Right now, the goal is just top ten in my first race, so I'll be be really happy with a top ten finish. Um coming in as a rookie, you know. I have very little to no experience. So uh top ten right now, and then uh at the halfway stage, hopefully we're closer to top five. That'll be uh that'll be the ultimate goal for sure.

SPEAKER_04 38:05

Consistency and being in the top ten is is going to be crucial, I think, this year, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03 38:10

Yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_04 38:11

Um Saturday, as I said to all of the other drivers, is the autograph session here as well, where you've uh you get all the fans turning up and you you you do your pictures. Have you practiced your your signature, your autograph?

SPEAKER_03 38:22

No, I I I always had the same autograph, so stick with that one.

SPEAKER_04 38:27

Can you I was saying to to uh to a couple before, you know, sometimes it's difficult to read. Uh you know, I I used to do it and get um uh get the autographs of footballers and things, and I get home and not be able to read who it was. Well, I know it's yours. Can I read your name properly or is it a scribble?

SPEAKER_03 38:42

No, I think you'll be able to because the first letter is just a V. And then I do a dot and then I write my last name.

SPEAKER_04 38:48

So easy peasy. You're looking forward to to meeting the fans on the Saturday?

SPEAKER_03 38:51

Yeah, it'll be nice to see see everyone who's enjoying motorsport for sure. It'll be nice to.

SPEAKER_04 38:56

Absolutely. Well, uh, I think it's going to be a great season. Uh, I'm I wish you the very best for the season. It's a bit chilly now, isn't it? I hope we get a bit warmer weather uh and some higher track temperatures over the weekend. But have a great season, really good to see you. Thanks for coming in. Thank you very much. Next we head to Chris Dippman Racing for returning driver Henry Mercia and newcomer Daniela Sutton, both with hopes and aspirations for the season, and each at very different stages of their F4 journey. Pleasure to uh welcome into the uh studio at the F4 Race Centre. Um Daniela and Henry. Hello to both of you. Hello. It's the second time this year we've we've spoken as well, back at Media Day. We're in the warm then, weren't we? Yeah. Yeah. Henry's been complaining, Danielle, that it's cold. You've got three layers on, and you're just sat there in a t-shirt.

SPEAKER_09 39:42

I hope not just a t-shirt, that would that would be a bit odd.

SPEAKER_04 39:45

That would be a bit odd, wouldn't it? But you you get you get my you get my drift. I hope the weather's going to be uh a little bit warmer here at uh Donnington this weekend, but uh it is a sort of place where you end up with four seasons in one day, isn't it? I mean you did on the uh the media test day, there was all sorts of weather, wasn't there? So okay. Let's first of all uh talk about uh free practice yesterday. Danielle, how did you get on?

SPEAKER_09 40:10

Um I made a big improvement. So this um it hasn't been easy over the um winter period um to catch up and like the transition from front-wheel drive car to a rear-wheel drive car with down force. Um bought this uh test session, these test day yesterday went um a lot better, um, and I started off in a lot better position. Um and I think overall it went really well, and hopefully go and push for that last little bit in qualifying on Saturday.

SPEAKER_04 40:40

Okay, um, so you're on the learning curve, but Henry, you've been here before. So bringing that extra experience in, uh, I think we we we've spoken previously, is something that you're gonna be hoping to to draw on. How was how was your free practice session?

SPEAKER_00 40:56

I was quite happy with it. I think there were a lot of positives and everything was there or thereabouts in the right places. Uh, you know, ending the day right on the edge of the top ten uh was was obviously where I wanted to be. I do think there's a bit more in it, you know. I I want to improve a bit. I know there's more in me. So I am I'm happy with the result, but at the same time I I did want a bit more, and I do think there was a bit more there. So content, I'll say.

SPEAKER_04 41:25

Content? That's not a bad place to be, is it? Now you're both at Chris Dittman Racing, and uh Henry, you've been here before. Danielle, you're you're new to the series. Uh how is it working between the two of you? Are you are you learning lots from uh from Henry Danielle? Have you had much chance to chat?

SPEAKER_09 41:40

Um well obviously we try in passing, but um we like cross each other's data, um like cross-analyse each other's data. So sometimes Henry will be quickest in the team and then we'll use Henry's data to compare to and analyse. Um but yeah, we we talk a bit.

SPEAKER_04 41:57

Maybe we'll talk a lot more as the season goes on. And Henry, coming coming back uh for uh uh for a second season, there's a big grid this year, it looks like an incredibly competitive uh uh grid as well. Um it's gonna be different to last year, isn't it? For sure.

SPEAKER_00 42:13

For sure. It's obviously more cars on the grid. There's a lot more to manage in a qualifying session, for example, when you've got 20 cars on the grid versus 30, it's a lot easier to find your space, get in the rhythm with 20. Whereas with that extra 10 cars, that's a lot more track that's being taken up. So I think a big part of qualifying will be finding that gap in what is such a big grid. So I think that will very, very well make or break a qualifying, and I think I'll hopefully use that experience to my advantage in that.

SPEAKER_04 42:46

Okay. And Daniel, for you for you, you're coming into the series uh with a record number of cars uh on the grid. I mean that's going to take some sort of getting your head around, isn't it? Because the the tracks are still the same size, but there's more more cars to navigate. I mean, is that something you've been thinking about?

SPEAKER_09 43:02

Um not particularly, because I came from Fiesta Juniors and hundreds on the grid. Yeah, there was quite a lot of um uh cars on the grid then, so it doesn't really intimidate me the fact that there are more cars. I suppose it poses more of a challenge in a way, um, and seeing how far I can get up, and I suppose the further you are up in a a bit larger grid is more commendable than a smaller grid.

SPEAKER_04 43:25

Absolutely. How how is that learning curve with open wheel coming from and as you mentioned from front wheel drive to rear-wheel drive? But how is that has that process going? Are you on the track to be where you want to be, if that makes sense?

SPEAKER_09 43:38

Yeah, so I want to be in the mix and that's that's the main thing for this year. This year is a learning year, um, and hopefully next year um I can push for podiums and maybe towards the front and even a championship possibly. Um but this this year is uh going to be a big learning curve. Um and I think I'll learn a lot about the car and myself and the way that that motorsport works. Um in larger paddocks. But hopefully the hope is for this year to be in with us out and just get my hands dirty to say.

SPEAKER_04 44:11

Interesting uh and fascinating phrase you used there about how motorsport works in in larger paddocks. I mean there's a lot to learn. Both for both of you have experience of this. It's not just the racing, is it? It's all the bits that go with it. It's the media stuff that you're doing. You've got the photograph coming up, you've got autograph sessions uh coming up on Saturday as well. You'll have to sponsors, all of those things. You have to be a complete package nowadays, Henry, don't you?

SPEAKER_00 44:34

Yeah, you really do. I mean, last year it was a big shift for me coming straight from carding. I mean, it was never something I even thought about in a carting paddock. I mean, you don't have you don't have the crowds, you don't have the media responsibilities, you're not being asked for an interview after a session. So it was a big learning curve that I had to take on, and it was something I had to do along with learning to drive, which are quite difficult cars to drive. So I think it it really helps a driver sort of being thrown into the deep end because you're sort of forced to learn. And I think British F4 makes it quite easy as well. Everyone has got experience on the media side of things, how to help a driver with that, what to ask, you know, not put them on the spot in a way so it they do make it easy, but it is still a big, big task that drivers have.

SPEAKER_04 45:25

Yeah, absolutely. And the autograph session tomorrow, you're looking forward to that. Have you been practicing your signatures?

SPEAKER_09 45:31

Well, I've had my signature for quite a while because we sign um often sponsors and stuff.

SPEAKER_04 45:36

Um but mine's just my name with a is it done in a fancy sort of scroll, or do you just scribble?

SPEAKER_09 45:42

It's probably more of a scribble.

SPEAKER_04 45:44

Can I uh with a lot of things I mean I used to collect autographs from footballers years ago, and you and you get home and you think, I can't read that. Who's that? Can you know? Will I be able to recognise both of you? Right. What about it?

SPEAKER_00 45:56

I'm not really sure. I think every round last year there is different. So um, you know, there's another thing. I've got the experience of a year of signing autographs, so hopefully this year I can refine my autograph.

SPEAKER_04 46:07

That that's the challenge for this year. Consistency in your case, Henry, and flourish uh readability with yours. Um social media is such a big part of what everybody sort of gets involved in now. Um more so uh at your sort of age than mine. I think I'm a bit past it. Um do you have big social media followings? Are you are you big on social media, both of you, Danielle?

SPEAKER_09 46:28

Um I wouldn't say like massive on social media, like you see someone influences, but hopefully it is important to like grow following and uh hopefully get more views because that appeals to all sorts and it gets your name out there. Um so myself and my parents have been thinking of ways to try and grow um the following on social media and it's just regular posting. Um, but I have got like a regular influx of followers each day, which is pretty good.

SPEAKER_04 46:57

But do you do your own or do you have somebody do it for you? I do my own. Right, because I know some people that they they have it done for them, don't they? Because they're quite posh. But so um what's your what do they call it, handle or tag or whatever? How can people find you?

SPEAKER_09 47:09

Um it's different on each, but usually if you just search up Daniel System Racing, um it'll come up. So okay.

SPEAKER_04 47:15

Henry, what about you? What the social media, are you big on social media?

SPEAKER_00 47:19

I it was something that I tried at the beginning of last year, um, and it never really I never enjoyed it, I never felt comfortable. It was something that I thought took away from my racing, so it was always my parents were doing it to try and help me, of course, but it was always like they wanted to get a picture of me doing this, picture of me doing that, and it just never really sat well with me. I just wanted to be there doing the racing, whatever, have pictures taken, I post it later. But I didn't I never really like to be super involved in it. I prefer to just be in the background. Of course, it is something that every driver needs. I can't say that I don't need it. I do try, but it's for me it was felt like more of a task that I enjoy.

SPEAKER_04 48:02

How do fans find you then?

SPEAKER_00 48:03

What's your it's just I think everything it's just Henry Mercier 13.

SPEAKER_04 48:07

Right, okay, they there you go. Let's hope we've bumped up your your followers or disciples or whatever they're called. I don't I don't know what I'm too old for social media daniel. I don't think I don't think I'm Jesus, but that'd be a good way of just defining the money. Okay, so um when we leave Donington after three races, qualifying in three races this weekend, are you gonna be smiling, do you think, both of you, or are you gonna be scratching your heads? What are you hoping to get out of this weekend, anyway, for you first?

SPEAKER_09 48:36

I hope I'm smiling. Yeah. Um I hope it's just a a good weekend and um I can push forward and build on my skills that I've already learnt so far. Um but ultimately it's an amazing palette to be in, and no matter what happens, um it's just a great experience. And from being that little girl like six years old, wanting to be in Formula One and now in Formula Four, is just like surreal to me. Um so I think no matter what, I probably would have come out in with a smile because we're in the British Formula Four paddock.

SPEAKER_04 49:10

Absolutely. Six years old, that's when you first decided you wanted to be a racing driver or be a Formula One racing driver. Wow. How young were you, Henry?

SPEAKER_00 49:17

Whenever it was that I first watched cars.

SPEAKER_04 49:19

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 49:20

So probably quite young as well. Probably quite young, four years old maybe.

SPEAKER_04 49:23

Okay. And what do you want to take away from this weekend?

SPEAKER_00 49:25

I want to, well, early on in the season I want to just make jumps from last year. I think for me is a big goal to prove to myself that last year wasn't everything that I had. I want to obviously prove to people in the paddock, but mostly prove to myself that I I have what it takes. But as well, I think that I want to just be. I think consistency is my my main goal, and of course results. So I guess consistently getting good results. Um I I think I'll be smiling. I think I've got high hopes for this weekend. It's already looked good in free practice, so I think I'll be able to carry that on and enjoy it.

SPEAKER_04 50:02

Okay, brilliant. Good to see both of you. Um you're smiling now. Let's hope you're smiling come Sunday as well. And have a great season, both of you.

SPEAKER_00 50:09

Thank you very much. Great to talk to you.

SPEAKER_04 50:11

Right, now it's time to hear from the fans. This season you can send messages to us at Friday Night F4 via the British F4 Instagram channel. Either voice message or text, and the best ones may feature in each podcast. So, first, let's hear what dropped in our message inbox.

SPEAKER_07 50:30

Hello, this is my 2026 British F4 season predictions. So, drivers championship, I think Adam Alazari, he is one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, and also with High Tech, who were um the champions with Finn McLaughlin last year. So I think he has a really good shot. Also, Drees van Langendong. He had a really great few rounds that he took part in last year within his debut weekend, and also with Rodin, who worked there last year and have won in the past. Definitely, I think we will have quite a close battle this year. Team champion, I'm not sure of. As a lot of the teams have quite a mixed lineup with rookies and more experienced drivers, so you never really know what can happen. I think the usual's like high tech and Roden will definitely be up there. I also think we'll see a lot more from CDR. They had their first read last year, which will be half field, and I think we'll definitely be seeing a lot more of them. I have a lot of favourites already. I think the more we get into the season, the more kind of my favorites. I just can't wait for the season to start. I can't wait.

SPEAKER_06 51:41

Hey Brochaire 14, my name is Ray, and these are my predictions for the 2026 season. So I think it'll be pretty close. It's really hard to choose, but I'm thinking either Dry's, Ethan, or Theo. However, Ella came in as a wild card, so potentially Ella is a good contender. I think constructors will be pretty close between Rodin, Hightech, and RG this year, and I think all four RG guys will finish in the top 15. I'm really hoping for that since they're my main team I'm supporting this year.

SPEAKER_08 52:09

For the 2026 season, my predictions are Drees van Langendorkas, the champion in both categories. If not him in the regular as a regular champion, I'm saying either Ethan Jeff Hall or Tommy Harfield. For the constructors, I'm saying between High Tech and Rodon Motorsport, it's gonna be a big battle. So because both teams have strong drivers, have good and amazing cars and careers, and have strong racing careers if it's not the rookie season. And uh for me, I'm saying the top female driver would be Chiara Batig, who I believe is gonna be maybe in the top 15, but I'm predicting top 20 a hundred percent.

SPEAKER_04 52:58

And in the text, we asked about favourite drivers and predictions. Let's see what we've got in the inbox. Charlie Gaze says, difficult decision. I'd love to see Ethan Jeff Hall become overall champion, but I've got plenty of favourites that it's not easy to pick. I'm also tipping Cam Nelson racing as a dark horse. Glenn Alt writes, I think we're going to see a Titanic scrap for the title between Dries van Langendonk and Tommy Harfield, with plenty of others emerging stars showing their talents across the season. I can't wait for this to get going. I'm with you, Glenn, on that one. Adam Rees says, champion Dries van Langendok, teams champions Rodin, Dark Hort, Kit Bolofsky. Hmm, one to watch there. And Eevee Stevie comments, I'm putting my money on either Dries or Ethan. High tech is my favourite team, and Cole Hewitson, Ethan Jeff Hall, Chiara Battig, and Alfie Slater are my faves going into the season. Three exclamation marks. Thank you for those comments. Keep them coming in, and we'll read out the best ones each week. And that's it for this week. A great way to start the season here at Donnington Park, where all fingers are crossed for good weather, a big crowd, and some great racing. You can keep up to date with every session via YouTube, the British F4 website, and the usual social media channels, and of course, live on ITV on Sunday as part of the TOKA BTCC package. Qualifying is at 11.40 tomorrow with the first race lights out at quarter past five. Sunday these two races at 10.40 and 5 to 4. You can catch all the exclusive driver interviews straight after each session, direct from park filming and the podium via the media pages on the website at FIAformula4.com. If you missed any of this week's podcast episode, you can use the listen again feature to catch up and remember to join us again at 6pm UK time on Friday, the 8th of May, from Brands Hatch. My thanks to the Friday Night F4 team, Eve Blake Grange, Flora Scott, Ben Bunell, whose name I've pronounced correctly this week, and Matt Jones. This has been a Create Media Production for the Vera Tools British F4 Championship certified by FIA. I'm Steve Taylor. Thank you for listening.