The 2026 GB4 Championship pre-season intensified at Oulton Park as drivers and teams refined their test preparations ahead of the new campaign. Across two closely contested days, the field produced remarkably tight lap times, with only fractions of a second separating the leading contenders.
Initially, Luke Hilton set the benchmark on day one, continuing his strong testing form. However, Fred Green responded in style on day two by setting the fastest lap of the week. Consequently, the fight for early supremacy remains finely balanced heading into the final pre-season test.
2026 GB4: Oulton Park Test: Day 1: Hilton sets the early benchmark
Hilton continued his impressive pre-season form by leading Day 1 of the GB4 Championship test. He delivered a decisive lap of 1m34.657s in the final session, edging out Green by just 0.052 seconds.
Notably, Hilton has now topped four of the seven pre-season test days so far, underlining his consistency and early title credentials. Meanwhile, Green showed strong pace throughout the day, as he led two of the four sessions and stayed within striking distance.
Close competition across the field
The battle behind the top two remained incredibly tight. Alex O’Grady secured third for KMR Sport, while Enzo Hallman ensured a fourth different team featured in the top four for Hillspeed.
Furthermore, Matan Achituv placed fifth ahead of Jason Smyth, with just 0.348 seconds covering the top six. This narrow gap highlighted the competitiveness across the grid.
As the order continued, Fortec Motorsports drivers Franek Cegielski and Thomas Ingram Hill slotted into seventh and eighth respectively. Meanwhile, Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso and Conor Grant completed a top ten covered by less than one second.
In total, 28 drivers participated, reinforcing the depth of competition heading into the season.
Day 1 Standings (Top 10)
- Luke Hilton – 1m34.657s
- Fred Green +0.052s
- Alex O’Grady +0.159s
- Enzo Hallman +0.208s
- Matan Achituv +0.293s
- Jason Smyth +0.348s
- Franek Cegielski +0.448s
- Thomas Ingram Hill +0.595s
- Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso +0.818s
- Conor Grant +0.983s
2026 GB4: Oulton Park Test: Day 2: Green strikes back
However, momentum shifted on Wednesday. Fred Green responded emphatically by setting the fastest lap of the entire week, clocking a 1m34.455s. As a result, he finished the two-day test on top overall.
Importantly, Green has now topped two of the eight pre-season test days and consistently placed inside the top four, demonstrating both speed and reliability.
Consistency remains key
Behind Green, Thomas Ingram Hill climbed to second, while Enzo Hallman continued his strong showing in third after leading two sessions. Alex O’Grady followed closely in fourth, maintaining his status as a regular front-runner.
Although Hilton could not repeat his day one performance, he still secured fifth and remained within three tenths of the pace. Cegielski completed the top six, again confirming Fortec’s competitiveness.
Further down, Conor Grant led Douglas Motorsport in seventh. Achituv, Torrin Byrne, and Del Grosso rounded out the top ten, all within a second of Green’s benchmark time.
Day 2 Standings (Top 10)
- Fred Green – 1m34.455s
- Thomas Ingram Hill +0.110s
- Enzo Hallman +0.197s
- Alex O’Grady +0.258s
- Luke Hilton +0.298s
- Franek Cegielski +0.350s
- Conor Grant +0.816s
- Matan Achituv +0.824s
- Torrin Byrne +0.936s
- Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso +0.970s
Momentum builds towards season opener
With just one official pre-season test remaining at Brands Hatch before the opening round at Silverstone, the competitive order remains far from settled. Nevertheless, both Hilton and Green have clearly emerged as early favourites.
At the same time, the tight margins across the top ten suggest that multiple drivers and teams could contend once the season begins.
