Irazú secures 2026 F4 U.S. title, completes VIR sweep

Gastón Irazú completed the weekend sweep at VIRginia International Raceway (VIR) to lock in the 2026 Driver Championship in Formula 4 United States Championship (F4 U.S.) competition on Sunday afternoon. By winning the title, the Uruguayan also receives the Champion’s Scholarship to move up to Formula Regional Americas Championship (FR Americas) next season, providing him with a chassis and engine lease, as well as race tires and entry fees in a combined effort from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Tire and Racing America.

Polesitter Clemente Huerta Raab (No. 17 Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) and Cole Medeiros (No. 77 Firano Motorsports/MLT Motorsports Ligier JS F422) occupied the front row that led the field to the green flag. While Huerta Raab pulled out to an early lead, fourth-place starter Irazú (No. 27 Elia Group/Baly/Canal 4/Ancap/Champagne Racing Ligier JS F422) dropped back to fifth, watching his competition race two- and three-wide to sort out their running order. Medeiros won the three-wide battle coming into VIR’s “rollercoaster” to lead the first lap. Zach Fourie (No. 15 Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) pulled up to challenge Medeiros the next lap, but went off the circuit at the top of the esses, giving Caleb Campbell (No. 68 Steele Auto Group/Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) the race lead. While his competition used up their Hankook rubber jockeying for position, Irazú stayed calm, steadily climbing toward the front as the others got shuffled out of position. Barely six minutes had transpired on the clock before Irazú pulled wheel to wheel with Campbell as they raced toward Turn 1 and emerged from the corner with the lead. Irazú pulled ahead while the fight for the runner-up position continued between Campbell, Medeiros and Huerta Raab. Going over the curbing in Turn 12, Medeiros slid off the circuit and made contact with the tire barrier, requiring safety crews to free his car.

With the field regrouped for a restart, Irazú was challenged by Campbell in Turn 1, but he held him off and turned his attention forward. Irazú, Campbell and Huerta Raab broke away from the field. Hitting their marks as the minutes ticked down, the three followed nose to tail all the way to the checkered flag where Irazú was the first to cross the line, followed by Kiwi Motorsport teammates Campbell and Huerta Raab.

Round 16 Official Results

“This feels great,” said Irazú after climbing from the car. “We had a great race with Caleb [Campbell], Clemente [Huerta Raab] and all the guys—and we were able to win again. I’m really happy with my team. They worked hard all year and I’m really happy that we got the championship.”

When asked what it means to represent Uruguay while racing in the United States, Irazú added, “I’m really happy to be able to represent my country at this level. To be able to be the champion and put it at the top of everything. I'm really grateful for this year. I hope next year, with the FR Americas scholarship, that I can race here in the United States again. Let's give it our all.”

Stream Round 16 from VIR

F4 U.S. will wrap up the 2026 season next month at Barber Motorsports Park during the Racing America @ Barber weekend, October 16-18. Live timing and scoring from the weekend will be available on Race Monitor, while additional news and updates will be posted on the series’ Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Prospective drivers looking to learn more about F4 U.S. are encouraged to visit the championship’s website at F4USChampionship.com.