JHR DEVELOPMENTS UNVEIL MCKENZY CRESSWELL AS FIRST SIGNING FOR 2021 SEASON

JHR Developments have unveiled karting graduate McKenzy Cresswell as their first signing for the 2021 F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost season.

Cresswell makes the switch to Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series off the back of a successful rise through the karting ranks, most recently in Junior Rotax at both British and European level.

The 14-year-old, born in the UK and raised in Austin, Texas, has also mixed in testing appearances for Steven Hunter’s Derbyshire-based outfit, lapping competitively alongside the 2020 grid on official test days towards the back end of last campaign.

The move marks Cresswell’s first steps on the FIA Single Seater pyramid and ensures his career will scale new heights in the media spotlight, with live, free-to-air television coverage on ITV4 as part of the high-profile British Touring Car Championship support package.

“This is a great opportunity for me to show what I’ve got in the very competitive F4 British Championship, as ever since I moved to the UK it has been a dream of mine to race in this prestigious series,” said Cresswell on the news.

“JHR Developments has made me feel right at home. I’m proud to be racing for a team with such a long history of success in F4 and very grateful for the opportunity.”

Ahead of his first campaign in single seaters, Cresswell paid tribute to the team at iZone Performance for helping him scale new heights in preparation for his debut.

“Being a rookie straight out of karts, there’s a lot to learn, but winter testing has gone better than I expected,” explained Cresswell.

“I spent a lot of time training with iZone Performance during the summer lockdown, which prepared me well for the switch to single seaters.”

Team Principal Hunter expressed his delight at securing Cresswell’s services for 2021 and is looking forward to a successful partnership together.

“We are really happy to welcome McKenzy to the team as he begins his journey in single seaters,” said Hunter.

“We were impressed with his performances in karts and he has followed that up by showing pace and maturity when testing the F4 British Championship car as well.

“We are looking forward to working with him for the full season in 2021 and helping him to reach his goals.

“With an established, race-winning pedigree in F4 and F3, JHR Developments is the ideal place for young racers like McKenzy to progress through the ranks and demonstrate what they can do.”

Further announcements on the remainder of JHR’s 2021 driver line-up are expected in due course.

The 2021 British F4 season gets underway at Brands Hatch’s Indy circuit on 03-04 April.