Formula Ford racer Alex Walker completed a successful evaluation test of the GB4 partnered by the BRDC car at Bedford Autodrome today (Tuesday).
The 18-year-old, who won nine BRSCC National Formula Ford Championship races this year and achieved six podium finishes during the 2019 British F4 Championship, completed approximately 60 laps of the Bedford Autodrome West circuit in cold but dry conditions at the wheel of MSV’s Tatuus F4-T014.
Walker reported that the test went as planned, and highlighted the reliability of the well-proven machine.
“The test was really good today, the car performed flawlessly all day and I couldn’t fault it at all,” he commented. “All we had to do was fuel it and send it for the sessions, and I was really impressed with how it went.
“The car had lots of grip but also the power to back it up so you could still feel it moving around a little bit, but it had the power to keep going. I’ve really enjoyed it and it was great to be back in a single-seater.
“We did three 20 minute runs and around 60 or so laps across the day. The car went out at the start of the session and there were no issues throughout, so there wasn’t anything to worry about once it was out there. We were able to tick laps off and tried to be as consistent as possible which was good.
“The car had a lot more grip than cars I’m used to driving, and the track we were using had a big mixture of slow speed, medium speed and high speed corners. Through all of them it rotated well at slow speed, but then it could also keep itself planted through the high speed corners, so it’s a really good car and a really enjoyable experience.”
GB4 has attracted a strong roster of teams that are looking to compete in the series, and Walker believes that’s a strong point for drivers like him, who are considering a move into the UK’s newest single-seater category.
“It’s definitely an option for me and there’s some really good teams involved in GB4 which is positive. With the championship, if you base it off GB3, you know it’s going to be run well, so it’s definitely appealing.
“The teams that are involved, you know they’re really good and professional. That’s the main thing, because it is going to be a learning formula so I think having good people around you is going to be a very appealing aspect.
“From what I’ve heard, GB4 sounds quite affordable for what it is as well, which is obviously a big benefit in motorsport nowadays. It has a good car and the calendar will be good, and with the teams involved, it’ll be a very competitive championship, which are the aspects you look for when evaluating what to do next year.
Following his positive test, Walker is now hoping to confirm his plans for 2022 in the coming weeks.
“We’ll now assess the field and see what comes about. We’re going into Christmas time now but we’d like to get something planned for next year and sorted before Christmas really so that we can put a proper testing programme in and we can do the season properly.”
Teams and drivers interested in testing MSV’s GB4 car can contact James Gornall on [email protected] or by calling +44 (0)7736 459399.
