BRDC F4 expects Tatuus sell-out

BRDC Formula 4 organizers have confirmed 23 orders have been received for the new Tatuus-built FIA F4 car it will introduce for its 2015 winter series.

Series promoter Jonathan Palmer's MotorSportVision company ordered 26 chassis from the Italian constructor last month, with nine of the championship's existing teams purchasing cars and committing to BRDC F4 until the end of 2018.

Though it has not been officially confirmed which teams have placed orders and for how many chassis, 2013 champion Lanan Racing is believed to have committed to a three-car team again, with title rival HHC Motorsport doing the same.

The winter series-winning Douglas Motorsport squad is likely to slim from three cars to two, while Hillspeed and Petroball – both race-winning teams – have confirmed they will return to the championship with the new car as well.

Catherham Formula 1-affiliated Sean Walkinshaw Racing will also return, while Chris Dittmann Racing, Meridian Motorsport – which switched from British Formula Ford mid-season – and the title-winning Radical squad Mectech Motorsport are expected to compete in BRDC F4 next season and beyond.

MSV, which gave teams currently competing in the series first priority on the new cars, has confirmed it is now inviting orders from external outfits as well. It is expected to take up the option of purchasing a further four cars from Tatuus, ahead of its autumn introduction next year and full-championship debut in 2016, when the series will be opened up to 15-year-olds.

"The response from our existing teams has been outstanding, with 23 of the initial 26 car allocation already sold and [teams] committed to enter the championship long-term," said Palmer. "With significant and increasing interest from teams outside of BRDC F4, we fully expect to increase our initial order to 30 cars."