Smith secure sm clare n automotive development drive thank st off 1600

The success of Josh Smith with Oldfield Motorsport is proof once again that the Formula Ford category can still be relevant in a driver’s career.

A race winner in British Formula 4 during 2015, Smith suffered from a lack of budget and made the move into Formula Ford in ’16.

But he’s now joined Mclaren Automotive’s driver development programme, and considers his time in FF1600 with help from James Oldfield as making him a better driver.

“In Formula 4 you have obviously got big slick tyres and a bit of aero, but with Formula Ford there’s no room for that,” says the 19-year-old.

“There’s nothing to mask it [your driving]. Your car set-up skills have to be massive to hit the nail on the head because there’s so little power, every ounce counts.

“The biggest thing was car set-up between me and James, we put our heads together to nail it.

“It was a massive learning curve and I didn’t see it as a step back. I learnt a hell of a lot as a driver and I don’t regret doing it for one second.”