Kieran Vernon will make a long-awaited return to the track with entry into the final rounds of the 2013 BRDC Formula 4 Winter Championship next weekend at Brands Hatch.
The former Formula Palmer Audi, Formula Ford GB and Formula Renault BARC competitor will make his F4 category debut with Hillspeed.
It marks a return to action for the first time in over twelve months for the 23 year old, who last raced in the 2012 Formula Renault series, finishing fifth overall with four podiums.
Despite his spell on the sidelines, Vernon is confident he can used his single-seater experience and challenge at the front next weekend.
“Hillspeed will put out a good car as they always do, I’m confident in myself and we can target four strong results next weekend, and hopefully we’ll be getting on the podium,” Vernon commented.
“The opportunity came up and I have a good relationship with the team having raced with them in Formula Renault BARC in 2012. I haven’t raced this year so I’m really looking forward to getting back out in a car again. It’s a new car for me, so I’m excited to get out and learn it in testing.”
Vernon joins Winter title contender Jake Cook and Dimitris Papanastasiou in the Hillspeed line-up.
“We’re delighted to be able to continue our relationship with Kieran,” added Hillspeed’s Richard Ollerenshaw, “The intention, if the budget could have been found, was for him to have contested the main Formula 4 season this year but things just didn’t come together.
“Kieran is a quality driver, as he’s proven in every category he’s raced, and if all goes to plan we’d love to get a deal together with him for F4 in 2014.”