A few weeks after the new car was launched, BRDC Formula 4 landed in Snetterton for the fourth of eight rounds of the 2015 Season. Meanwhile the 2016 BRDC F4 car was driven around the Norfolk track by GP2 Champion Jolyon Palmer.
During his time in the car, Palmer managed to complete 40 laps over the course of the weekend where he drove between the F4 events and Support Series.
The Tatuus Cosworth MSV F4-016 managed to set a personal best of 1:44.727. This quick time can be put partly down to Palmer’s ability, but also the new cars performance as it looks to align itself with a more Formula 3 performance level.
This time was 5.038 seconds quicker than Harri Newey achieved in the final practice session who completed his lap at a similar time in similar conditions. It was also, significantly quicker than the best overall time of the weekend which was Omar Ismail‘s pole time of 1:49.147.
After completing his laps, Palmer “It was a really good day. I had previously only done three laps in the wet at Silverstone, so it was my first real time in the car. You can tell straight away that it is a great racing car.”
“It is a significant step up from the current car. Power-wise it is a lot better and you can feel the aerodynamic grip is so much greater; the high-speed corners are taken a lot quicker. Everything in the chassis is more direct and stiffer. I think it is going to be a great learning environment for the drivers.”
“The straight-line speed is fantastic,” he continued. “The car works so efficiently, the engine is great and you can gauge when you are on track next to the current car, exactly how and where it is better. It is clearly a massive step forward for the series.”
The aim of next years BRDC F4 championship, is to bridge the gap between the National FIA Formula 4 championships and the International Formula 3 and GP3 Series. Thus preparing the drivers for a higher class and speed of racing in a lower budget series.
The car will début at the 2015 BRDC Formula 4 Autumn Trophy with the hope of having it set up fully for the 2016 Season, with 24 of the 26 cars produced having already been sold to a variety of teams, suggesting a larger and more competitive grid next year.
Jolyon’s brother, Will Palmer competes in the series and extended his championship lead to 25 points over Rodrigo Fonseca after picking up a win in the final race of the weekend.