BRDC Formula 4 Championship race-winner Jake Dalton has announced he will take a year’s sabbatical from motorsport in 2014 for budgetary reasons.
Dalton made his car-racing debut with a one-off appearance in the InterSteps championship in 2011, before competing full-time in the Protyre Formula Renault Championship in 2012. The Staffordshire-based racer was straight on the pace, a podium finish on the opening weekend helping him to eighth in the standings.
Last season, the 18 year old stayed with MGR Motorsport to compete in the inaugural running of BRDC F4. He was an early championship leader, with six consecutive top five finishes to start the year, including a pair of victories.
His title challenge faltered over the mid-season though, leading to a late change of teams to Lanan Racing. A victory on his first outing with the team ensured he remained in contention heading into the final meeting of the year at Donington Park, but despite a podium finish, he was left to settle for fifth in the final standings.
It was expected that Dalton, like his F4 rivals Jake Hughes and Seb Morris, would be targeting a switch into European Formula Renault for 2014, but as he announced on Twitter this morning (14th Feb), he is left watching from the sidelines this season:
Hi All, it has come with huge regret, that I have to announce a sabbatical year from Motorsport, due to budgetary reasons…
— Jake Dalton (@JakeDaltonUK) February 13, 2014
I would like to thank everyone that has helped me to come this far, fans, friends, and all in the @MSAAcademy . I hope to be back soon. #JD
— Jake Dalton (@JakeDaltonUK) February 13, 2014
