KARTING STAR OLIVER GRAY CONFIRMS FORTEC SEAT FOR 2021 SEASON
Fortec Motorsport have confirmed highly-rated international karting driver Oliver Gray will join their ranks for the 2021 F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost season.
The 15-year-old from Chipstead joins the reigning champions in Britain’s FIA Formula 4 series after a very successful career in karting, which includes multiple MSUK British titles at the X30 Junior level and vice-champion honours in the IAME Euro Series in 2019.
In 2020, Gray ran under the colours of Ferrari F1 star Charles Leclerc for Leclerc by Lennox Racing in Europe’s OK class, recording an impressive all heats and final victory in the WSK Euro Series in Sarno, together with numerous top ten finishes.
Now, Gray will take his first steps on the FIA Single Seater pyramid, joining the previously announced Joel Granfors at Richard Dutton’s front-running outfit.
In switching to British F4, Gray will benefit from an unrivalled platform at this level of the sport on which to make his mark, with live, free-to-air television coverage on ITV4, and an expected capacity trackside crowd once restrictions allow.
The season – which takes in 30 races at 10 events on the UK’s most challenging and iconic circuits – begins at the high-speed Thruxton in Hampshire on 8th-9th May.
“I’m delighted to become part of the Fortec family in 2021,” said Gray.
“After a successful karting career, I recognise I’ve a lot to learn in single seaters but I’m confident I can learn quickly and together we can go for the Championship again.
“I have been warmly welcomed by Oliver and his father Richard and after a few days testing we are progressing quickly.
“I’m looking forward to the first race in May!”
Fortec’s F4 Team Manager Oliver Dutton expressed his delight at securing Gray’s services for the season ahead and looks forward to monitoring his new protegee’s progress.
“Everybody at Fortec Motorsport is delighted to welcome Oliver into the family,” said Dutton.
“We’ve been monitoring his progress through the karting ranks for a while now, and when the opportunity arose to test him in our F4 car, he impressed us right from the off.
“It’s always a tough championship to win, and running at the front consistently is very challenging, but we believe Oliver has all the right ingredients to hit the ground running and enjoy a successful season ahead.”
