Sauber driver Ericsson’s brother in F4 test

The younger brother of Sauber Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson tested a British F4 car for the first time before Christmas with Fortec Motorsport, and could compete in the TOCA support series this year.

Hampus Ericsson, 14, tested with the team at Valencia for two days. The Ericsson family has strong connections to Fortec with Marcus winning the Formula BMW title in 2007 with the squad, as well as racing in British F3 the following year.

The younger Ericsson has competed in several karting categories, coming second in the Swedish KF Junior series this year, but had not driven a car until the Spanish test.

“He went really well, it was his first ever time testing a car so he was in at the deep end,” said Fortec team manager Dan Mitchell. “There were a lot of other cars out there so he had to get used to things like clutch control as well as managing the traffic.

“He did a really good job – he was a little tired by the end of the day but that’s perfectly normal. He’s a good kid, very professional and you couldn’t fault him.”

Mitchell added that the Swede could potentially compete with the team in F4 this year, with his 15th birthday falling before the start of the season.

Fortec has tested a number of other drivers too, including British karting champions Oliver York and Mark Kimber.