Oman’s Al Zubair to take part in BRDC Formula 4
MUSCAT: Omani racer Al Faisal Al Zubair will be taking part in the BRDC Formula 4 in the 2016 season. According to news posted on www.formula4.com, Al Zubair will return to the BRDC Formula 4 Championship in 2016, it has been confirmed today (February 1), driving for Fortec Motorsports.
“The 17-year-old competed for Hillspeed in his maiden BRDC F4 campaign before switching to Fortec for the 2015 Autumn Trophy, finishing fourth overall with one podium,” the website said.
Al Zubair stepped up to BRDC Formula in 2015 and enjoyed a successful rookie season, regularly breaking into the top-10 and improved throughout the year, claiming his maiden podium on the series second visit to Snetterton. He finished 16th overall, despite missing two of the eight rounds across the season.
Prior to competing in BRDC Formula 4, Al Zubair raced in karts with highlights including winning the 2013-14 Oman Senior Rotax Max Challenge Crown, and being part of the title-winning Oman Endurance Karting Championship team. He also gained his first single-seater experience by racing in Formula Gulf 100.
Al Zubair said: “Last year was a learning year for me with it being my first season in single-seaters, but we got stronger towards the end of the year and managed to claim one podium finish at Snetterton. The BRDC Formula 4 championship is really good for a young driver and we know Fortec Motorsports is a leader in most of the series they race in, so hopefully with a strong team like them we can push for good results and possibly the title.”
Russell Dixon, Team Manager of Fortec Motorsports BRDC Formula 4 operation, added: “We are delighted to welcome back Al Faisal into the team for the 2016 Championship after completing the Autumn Trophy with us. Other commitments will limit his pre-season testing but I’m sure he will make rapid progress throughout the season.”
The 2016 BRDC Formula 4 Championship, which gets underway at Snetterton on March 27 and 28, consists of 24 races across eight meetings at historic tracks such as Brands Hatch and Silverstone. For the first time in series history, there will be one round held outside of the UK as BRDC Formula 4 visits the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in July.