Junior driver Fionn McLaughlin in touching distance of F4 title

With the British F4 season coming to an end, 17-year-old junior driver Fionn McLaughin remarks that winning at Brand Hatch would “mean everything”​ to him.

The Red Bull driver from Northern Ireland currently leads the championship with a 61.5 lead, with three races in between him and the F4 title.

“It would mean everything. I haven’t won a championship since I was seven years old,”​ McLaughlin said.

The Hitech driver points to the vigorous dedication motorsports racing requires, remarking that “You work your whole life towards these things. To be a rookie champion and a British F4 champion would be amazing”.

As the conclusion of the F4 season approaches, Mclaughin has spoken about his aspirations of making it to F1

McLaughlin joined Red Bull Academy, following in the footsteps of other notable drivers such as Max Verstappen, Carlos Sainz, and his own role model Sebastian Vettel​, after his 2024 victory in a shootout at Jerez. The junior driver has continued to impress as he has gone on to win five races and claim seven more podiums in his F4 career.

Leading the championship, with 61.5 points over Jimmy Piszcyk and Martin Molnar, needs a margin of 42 points as a result of Saturday’s race in order to claim the title for this year.

“I can wrap it up after race one on Saturday, but I’m not really focusing on that. I just want to do a good job and enjoy this weekend as it’s my last weekend racing in F4.”

“When you’ve a big lead the pressure disappears. If I was coming into the weekend only 10 or 20 points ahead then I would feel a lot more pressure.

The win of the British GB3 Championship possibly (presents) opportunities for McLaughin to climb up the racing ladder

As the conclusion of the F4 season approaches, Mclaughin has spoken about his aspirations of making it to F1, feeling like his maturity throughout the season has “helped me do a good job.”

Fellow F4 drivers include Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the current McLaren drivers in contest for the 2025 F1 World championship, with Lando Norris having won the British F4 title in 2015 – making his way up to Formula 1 over the course of four years.

With the win of the British GB3 Championship possibly presenting opportunities for McLaughin to climb up the racing ladder, McLaughlin reiterates that his focus currently is on winning the championship with Hitech.

“That’s [the future] not for me to worry about. I’ll just keep doing my job and keep winning races and let the bosses behind the scenes make those decisions.”​

“This year I’ve done well and I’ve put myself in a good spot to take the championship.”​