Sebastian Priaulx will take an exciting new step in his motorsport career next season as he enters the 2018 Formula 4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost with leading team Arden Motorsport and the continued support of 1st Central Insurance. Priaulx will make the transition to single-seater racing for the first time following a hugely successful start to his burgeoning career in the Ginetta Junior Championship, taking ten race wins, twenty-two podium finishes and the 2016 Winter Series title across two years of competition. The Guernseyman’s natural progression into open wheel motorsport comes with the crucial backing of award-winning UK car insurance provider 1st Central as part of their exciting long-term partnership, as well as with a new sponsor who will be announced in the coming weeks. In Arden Motorsport, the sixteen year old is teaming up with one of the most successful teams in junior single-seater racing, with the Banbury-based outfit have enjoyed great success across the globe over the past two decades. Co-founded by current Red Bull F1 team principal Christian Horner and his father Garry Horner, the team have helped launch the careers of current F1 stars like Danil Kvyat, Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez in top-level championships including GP2, GP3 and Formula Renault 3.5. The team have a brilliant track record in British F4 as well, having challenged for title success in each of the last three years. This past season, they secured no less than eleven race wins and more podium finishes and pole positions than any other team. The F4 British Championship provides a hugely exciting opportunity for Priaulx to hone his skills and develop as a driver next season, with the championship having become renowned for fast, action-packed, wheel-to-wheel racing since its inception in 2015. Running to the FIA’s Formula 4 regulations as used around the world, the British series features grids of over twenty cars using carbon fibre monocoque Mygale chassis’ powered by sealed 1.6 litre Ford EcoBoost engines and run on control Hankook tyres. Priaulx will be continuing to race on the high-profile support package of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, with the British F4 calendar featuring thirty races across ten triple-header weekends between April and October, and live terrestrial television coverage on ITV4. Priaulx got his first chance to test with Arden at Snetterton earlier this month and quickly got acquainted to his new 'slicks and wings' machinery, with a further comprehensive testing programme planned between now and the season opener at Brands Hatch on 7/8 April 2018. Sebastian Priaulx: “It’s a great feeling to have my 2018 plans confirmed. We’ve got an exciting year ahead of us racing with Arden in the F4 British Championship. To make the step up to single-seaters and race in British F4 is a real milestone in my career, and it is the starting point for Formula 1. “Arden are a top level team. Their facilities are very impressive and all the staff are incredibly professional. They are a team that can take you from British F4 all the way up to FIA Formula 2. They can give you the tools to succeed and we’re determined to enjoy great success together. “1st Central Insurance made it possible for me to race in 2017 and they have played a crucial part in getting me on the British F4 grid. To have the support of such a well-respected company gives me a lot of confidence. I want to keep performing, make them proud and have fun along the way.” Garry Horner, Arden CEO and Team Principal: “We are delighted to have Sebastian joining our team at Arden. We have admired his dedication and ability throughout the previous season and we are looking forward to a successful year in British Formula 4.”
Images from Jakob Ebrey Photography