South African teenager Sebastian Lanzetti has been signed as the lead driver for the Hillspeed team ahead of the 2015 British Racing Drivers Club Formula 4 season, following a test session at the Circuito de Calafat in Spain.
The 18-year old from Glenvista, Gauteng impressed the powers that be at Hillspeed, one of the most successful racing teams in the United Kingdom. The test assessed the South African’s physical and mental endurance, as well as his ability to work within their team and ability to translate input from his driver coach and employ it on the circuit. Lanzetti surpassed all expectations.
“Over three days, Sebastian consistently delivered faster and faster lap times, which is rarely seen with drivers. Sebastian is the most exciting young driver I have seen in recent years with true ability and a desire to succeed,” said Hillspeed driver coach Matt Shawyer.
“He made very few mistakes, if any. Sebastian has a very precise driving style, and his lines around the circuit were pin sharp lap after lap,” said team boss Richard Ollerenshaw.
The Britain-based series uses single specification open-wheel space-frame racecars with carbon front and rear impact structures. It’s powered by a 136 kW 2,0-litre Ford Duratec engine that sends torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed paddle-shift transmission.
“I have been given an unbelievable opportunity to compete in the BRDC Formula 4 championship with Hillspeed Racing and with the help of my sponsors IVMA Engineering, NetAssess and Manhattan Computer Solutions,” Lanzetti told CAR.
“This being my first international championship I am very excited to get started but it is going to be very challenging competing against the best drivers in the UK and learning all the new tracks, but I am very confident and I am there to win, I will push hard and go for the win and 2015 BRDC Formula 4 title,” he added.
The BRDC Formula 4 season will share top billing with the British GT series, a position previously held by British F3. The championship will be bolstered by the addition of Will Palmer of the Palmer motorsports empire and Harri Newey – son of Red Bull F1 designer Adrian.
The season kicks off at Oulton Park with rounds one, two and three on the 4th, 5th and 6th of April.
CAR wishes Lanzetti all the best for his 2015 campaign.
