New BRDC F4 car flies in testing

BRDC Formula 4 will take a significant step forward through its new car, with Lotus Formula 1 reserve Jolyon Palmer lapping Snetterton five seconds faster than the existing machinery.

A brand new Tatuus-Cosworth MSV F4-016 will make its race debut in the Autumn Trophy later this year, before being introduced to the primary championship next season. Reigning GP2 champion Palmer was the latest driver to sample the car, getting down to a time of 1m44.727s on Snetterton's 300 layout, while the benchmark for the current F4-013 during the same session was 1m49.765s.

"It is a significant step up from the current car," said Palmer, whose father Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision organization promotes the series.

"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."

Set to be the fastest F4 machines in the world, 24 of the initial order of 26 cars have been sold to teams, with a 30-entry limit to eventually be implemented for the 2016 championship.

"With the higher level of performance, it will be a much better feeder series than current FIA F4 Championships," Palmer suggested. "The aerodynamic grip increases rapidly as you progress into F3 and GP3 so the new car will be a major help in preparing for that."

Originally on Autosport.com