Fortec Motorsports clinched the GB4 Championship title at the weekend (September 28/29) as Linus Granfors took the two podium finishes he needed to secure the 2024 honours.
It is the team’s second success in the series, having taken the inaugural trophy in 2022, and claiming 15 victories in the three years for this first-generation of car – which will be replaced and upgraded for 2025.
After a handful of test sessions on the full GP layout earlier in the week, Friday practice was held on the shorter Indy circuit with mixed weather conditions. Saturday’s qualifying took place under largely bright and sunny skies, with Linus and another driver swapping fastest times throughout. The young Swede finished on top, clinching the George Russell Pole Position Cup, while the team secured the Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup. There would also be a front row lockout for race three, with Dan Hickey on pole, ahead of Jack Taylor.
Linus had a good start to race one, later that afternoon, and retained the lead as the cars behind swarmed over his rear wing. He made a small error at the end of lap one, losing momentum onto the front straight and falling back to fourth, while Jack also went wide, dropping to 12th. Linus pushed on after his moment, forcing an error by the car ahead and moving into third. In clear air he set his fastest laps, but with too much of a gap to reel in the two leaders, would have to settle for his eighth podium of the season, with Jack taking 10th and Dan 11th.
Sunday was overcast, Linus getting a good launch off the line but was bested on the outside of turns one and two, falling to third. He regained second as the car ahead went wide at the final turn, while Jack had a superb opening lap, gaining four places to run seventh. In the second half of the contest, the young Australian made a small error, doing well to hold his own but eventually losing a place, while Dan made the move to gain 11th in the final moments. Ahead, Linus did all he needed to, taking the flag in second and with it securing the 2024 GB4 Championship.
Dan and Jack lined up on the front row for the final race of the weekend and last for the Tatuus F4-T014, before the new car is introduced for 2025. After a delayed start, Dan went side by side for the lead through the first three corners, slotting into third just ahead of Jack. He then regained second with a good move on the outside of Paddock Hill Bend, but Jack was sent into a spin at Druids and with his car beached on the edge of the track, he was forced to retire. That caused a Safety Car, with Linus in fifth position and when racing resumed, Dan came under pressure, being sent wide and spinning to the back of the field, as Linus shot into third and then looked every which way to take second but settled for a third podium of the weekend and the 2024 title.
With continued success in the GB4 Championship, Fortec Motorsports is already looking ahead to the 2025 season, with the new, upgraded Tatuus MSV GB4-025 being introduced to the series, with a halo, improved aerodynamics, and two litre, four cylinder, normally aspirated Mountune engine. The team returns to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit for the final rounds of the 2024 F4 British Championship, next weekend, October 5/6.
Linus Granfors, #16
Race 1: Start – 1, Result – 3
Race 2: Start – 1, Result – 2
Race 3: Start – 11, Result – 3
Championship: 1 (444 points)
“My goal this weekend was to finish ahead of [Harry] Burgoyne and [Alicia] Palmowski so It feels really good to be champion and to end the weekend with another podium after starting P11 in the reverse grid race. There was a lot of cars going into turn two and they were three wide, and I was thinking the were going to crash. When it happened, I was ready and went on the inside and went for it. The car has always been on top form this year, thanks to the hard work of the team, so it was up to me to get the good results, and it’s been an amazing weekend to finish the season.”
Jack Taylor, #50
Race 1: Start – 10, Result – 10
Race 2: Start – 10, Result – 9
Race 3: Start – 2, Result – DNF
Championship: 8 (202 points)
“Brands Hatch is definitely one of my favourite tracks and also one of the most difficult ones, but if you get it right, it can be really rewarding. This weekend we didn’t change the car set up too much so that I could focus on my driving more and so I knew what was to come in the final races. This year has been good and has ever been one of our best seasons in terms of learning and experience, so I’ve really enjoyed it and thanks to the team.”
Dan Hickey, #17
Race 1: Start – 11, Result – 11
Race 2: Start – 11, Result – 11
Race 3: Start – 1, Result – 10
Championship: 13 (166 points)
“Brands Hatch is probably my favourite track. To be being able to drive on the Grand Prix layout is really cool and definitely one to test your confidence driving in the high-speed corners. I’ve enjoyed the weekend as a whole; it was just a shame to finish how we did. I’ve been learning every lap I drive and it was a good weekend for experience and making more progress to add to what we’ve done the whole year. I’m thankful for the team for what they’ve done in helping me progress this season.”
