Kieran Vernon made an impressive return to racing in the final rounds of the 2013 BRDC Formula 4 Winter Championship at the weekend at Brands Hatch, taking a trio of podium finishes including an unexpected race win.
For Vernon, it was a positive end to a truly frustrating season, which saw him sat on the sidelines for almost the whole campaign.
Despite the lay-off, Vernon was quickly up to speed on his first outing in F4 machinery, following up a pair of second place finishes with his first race win since a Formula Renault BARC success at the Kent venue in May 2011.
“Jumping into a new car on the weekend of the race is never an ideal way to go racing! Thursday was completely washed out with wet weather, so it was only Friday afternoon before I first got to drive the car in the dry,” said Vernon.
“I really was learning about the car all the way throughout the weekend, so to come away with three podium finishes and a victory is far more than I could have asked for. I was a bit surprised, the quality of drivers in the BRDC F4 winter series was incredibly high, so I am proud and delighted to end the weekend on the top step of the podium.”
Vernon hopes his strong performance at Brands Hatch can lead to a full season of racing in 2014. It’s been three years since he completed a full campaign in a championship, with part-campaigns in Formula Renault BARC and the Porsche Carrera Cup GB in 2011 followed by a late return to the BARC series in 2012.
While Vernon, like a number of single-seater drivers at the same stage of their careers, has earmarked sportscar racing as the best place to further his career, the 23 year old has not ruled out a return to single-seater action if the right deal comes along.
“My future in the sport is always hard to predict. I would say the ideal place for me to look to is GT racing, pairing up with drivers who need a fast driver who can help them to success,” he explained.
“However, I am not ready to turn my back on anything and if there is the possibility to go single seater racing I will. The BRDC F4 championship offers an incredibly competitive, cost effective way to go single seater racing, so it is without doubt an option, and something I would enjoy.
“My target for 2014 is something that will enhance my career. I am starting to coach and manage driver’s to help them progress through their careers, giving back the lessons I have learnt so far, so this alongside racing myself is something I am giving a lot of attention to in 2014. “
