Chase Fernandez will return to single-seater competition with R Racing when the team makes its GB4 debut during the inaugural Winter Series at Snetterton on 24–25 October.
The 17-year-old reunites with a team he knows well after previously racing for R Racing in Ginetta Juniors and returning as a driver coach during 2026. Fernandez will now lead the squad into its first single-seater event as R Racing begins the next stage of its expansion.
The appearance also marks a return to single-seaters for Fernandez following his 2025 British F4 campaign and appearances across several other categories. Meanwhile, R Racing will use the Winter Series as its first competitive step in GB4 after previously confirming its plans to expand beyond its successful Ginetta Junior programme.
Fernandez reunites with R Racing for GB4 debut
GB4 confirmed that Fernandez will join R Racing for the championship’s first Winter Series, which will take place across two days on Snetterton’s 300 circuit.
The reunion continues an established relationship between the driver and team. Fernandez previously represented R Racing in Ginetta Juniors, including during his 2024 campaign when he challenged for the championship and finished runner-up.
He later returned to the squad in 2026 as a driver coach for its Ginetta Junior programme. R Racing secured its sixth consecutive championship during the season, maintaining the success that has defined its recent junior sports car programme.
Fernandez will now play a different role in the team’s development as he leads R Racing into its first competitive single-seater appearance.
“I’m absolutely over the moon to be returning to R Racing to compete in the GB4 Winter Series! It’s super exciting to be jumping back into a single-seater car and I’m proud to be doing it with such an amazing team. Last time I raced at Snetterton with R Racing we won every race across the weekend, I’m ready to do it again!”
Fernandez brings experience across multiple categories
Fernandez arrives in GB4 with a varied racing background despite his young age.
The Manchester-born driver began karting at nine and won the Cadet Kart championship one year later. He subsequently progressed to the British Karting Championship in 2021 before securing the Ginetta Junior Scholarship in 2022 as its youngest winner at the time.
He made his car racing debut during the Ginetta Junior Winter Series later that year before contesting his first full season in 2023. Fernandez finished sixth overall and recorded more victories than every driver apart from championship-winning teammate Freddie Slater.
His second full campaign brought another step forward. Fernandez doubled his victory tally and added nine further podiums as he narrowly missed the outright championship.
He then moved into single-seater racing, making appearances in Spanish F4 and the Formula 4 Middle East Trophy. Fernandez secured two Rookie class victories during the latter programme before turning his attention towards a full British F4 campaign.
British F4 victory adds to Fernandez’s single-seater experience
Fernandez contested British F4 full-time during 2025 and immediately demonstrated his pace by taking victory during his debut weekend at Donington Park.
He remained a regular contender towards the front throughout the campaign and added further silverware at Oulton Park. Fernandez also broadened his experience with outings in USF Juniors, NASCAR Euro Series and F4 CEZ, where he secured a podium at the Red Bull Ring.
However, he stepped away from a full-time single-seater campaign in 2026 and instead made appearances in the Mini Challenge while also taking on his coaching role with R Racing.
The GB4 Winter Series therefore gives Fernandez an opportunity to return to formula machinery while working with a team that already understands his approach and experience.
R Racing begins new single-seater chapter
Fernandez’s signing also represents an important step for R Racing as the team prepares to transfer its success into GB4.
The Norfolk-based squad has built its reputation primarily through Ginetta Juniors, where it has established a sustained record of championship success and driver development. Earlier in 2026, R Racing confirmed plans to expand into single-seater competition and acquired GB4 machinery as part of that process.
The Winter Series will now provide its first competitive opportunity in the category before the team continues its single-seater programme.
Team Principal Jamie Ross believes the existing relationship with Fernandez gives the squad a strong foundation ahead of its debut.
“We’re delighted to welcome Chase back to R Racing for the GB4 Winter Series. We shared some brilliant moments in Ginetta Juniors, particularly his clean sweep at Snetterton in 2024, so it’s exciting to be working together again.
“We know the speed and determination Chase brings, and having that existing relationship gives us a strong foundation to build on. We’re looking forward to getting him in the car and seeing what we can achieve together.”
Snetterton hosts inaugural GB4 Winter Series
The inaugural GB4 Winter Series will take place at Snetterton on 24–25 October and features four races across the two-day event.
Each day will include its own Qualifying session and two races, while teams will also have access to pre-event testing on Thursday and Friday. The format gives drivers significant track time while providing teams with an additional opportunity to evaluate their programmes outside the main championship season.
For Fernandez, the event brings together two familiar elements. He returns to a circuit where he previously enjoyed considerable success with R Racing while also stepping back into the single-seater machinery that formed an important part of his 2024 and 2025 campaigns.
R Racing, meanwhile, will use the weekend to begin a new chapter after years of success in Ginetta competition. With Fernandez leading its first GB4 appearance, the team will make its single-seater race debut at Snetterton on 24–25 October.
