Indonesian karting champion Qarrar Firhand will make his GB4 Championship debut with Fortec Motorsports during the inaugural Winter Series at Snetterton on 24–25 October 2026. The 15-year-old will continue with the British outfit after making his first single-seater appearances in the final two rounds of the British F4 Championship.
Firhand enters the event following a successful international karting career, highlighted by his historic victory in the 2026 WSK Euro Series OK Championship. His triumph made him the first Indonesian driver to secure the title, establishing him among the country’s most promising young motorsport talents.
The announcement also confirms that Firhand will partner British karting graduate Max Yuill at Fortec. Both drivers will use the four-race weekend to gain experience in the Tatuus MSV GB4-025, with Firhand preparing for his first appearance in the championship.
Firhand arrives following historic WSK Euro Series title
Firhand began his karting career in Indonesia before progressing into international competition, gaining experience across several major European championships. His early achievements included finishing second in the 2022 Trofeo D’Autunno and third in the ROK Winter Trophy during the same year, establishing a foundation for his subsequent development.
The Indonesian continued competing internationally, participating in the WSK Super Master Series and FIA Karting Championships while securing top-five finishes in the ROK Cup Superfinal, Trofeo delle Industrie and Trofeo Andrea Margutti. These experiences helped him develop against some of Europe’s leading karting competitors as he progressed towards the senior categories.
His most significant achievement came during the 2026 WSK Euro Series, where he secured the OK category championship with Ward Racing. Firhand clinched the title at Cremona, concluding the campaign with a second-place finish and fastest lap in the final race after an impressive qualifying performance.
The championship victory made Firhand the first Indonesian driver to win the series, marking an important milestone for his country. It also provided a successful conclusion to his karting career before he began transitioning into single-seater competition.
British F4 appearances begin Firhand’s single-seater career
Following his karting success, Firhand joined Fortec Motorsports for the final two rounds of the 2026 British F4 Championship, making his competitive single-seater debut at Silverstone in September.
The Indonesian faced a considerable adjustment as he adapted to Formula 4 machinery, a new racing environment and the demands of competing against drivers with substantially more car-racing experience. Although his Silverstone debut proved challenging, the weekend provided valuable experience as he familiarised himself with the car and championship procedures.
Firhand subsequently returned for the Brands Hatch season finale, where he continued developing alongside teammates Roman Felber, Cash Felber and Ethan Carney. He demonstrated progress during the opening race, gaining five positions in the early stages while avoiding incidents elsewhere in the field.
The two weekends provided an introduction to competitive single-seater racing before Firhand’s move into GB4. Although he has yet to race the championship’s Tatuus MSV GB4-025, his recent experience with Fortec should offer some continuity as he prepares for another unfamiliar car.
Firhand welcomes opportunity to continue with Fortec
Firhand expressed his enthusiasm about extending his partnership with Fortec Motorsports, recognising the Winter Series as another opportunity to develop his skills following his British F4 appearances.
“I’m really excited to continue with Fortec for the GB4 Winter Series. It’s a new challenge for me, and I’m looking forward to learning the car, gaining experience, and continuing to develop as a driver,” Firhand said.
The decision allows the Indonesian to continue working with the same team as he adapts to British single-seater racing. Having already established relationships with Fortec’s engineers and personnel during his British F4 appearances, he will enter the Winter Series with an understanding of the team’s working methods.
However, the transition will still present challenges. Firhand must familiarise himself with the GB4 car’s handling characteristics while learning how to extract performance across qualifying and race conditions. The additional track time available during the weekend will therefore be valuable as he continues his development.
Dutton confident Firhand can build on British F4 experience
Fortec Motorsports Team Principal Oliver Dutton welcomed Firhand’s return, highlighting the Indonesian’s potential and the benefits of gaining additional competitive mileage.
“It’s great that Qarrar is extending his stay with us to cover the GB4 Winter Series at Snetterton. He’s a really promising driver and one that will benefit from the extra track time the series offers,” Dutton said.
Dutton also acknowledged that Firhand has yet to drive the GB4 car but expressed confidence that the team’s testing programme would provide sufficient preparation before the opening race.
The Indonesian will join Yuill, who has already completed initial GB4 testing with Fortec at Pembrey. The British driver finished sixth in the 2026 British Kart Championship’s Senior X30 IAME division and will make his competitive single-seater debut during the Snetterton event.
Their combination gives Fortec two young drivers at different stages of their transition from karting. While Firhand has recent British F4 experience, Yuill enters the weekend having already sampled the GB4 machinery, allowing both to build on their respective preparations.
Snetterton Winter Series provides four races across two days
The inaugural GB4 Winter Series will take place on Snetterton’s 300 circuit on 24–25 October, featuring two qualifying sessions and four races.
Each day will operate as a separate event, with one qualifying session and two races on Saturday and Sunday. The format provides drivers with several opportunities to assess their progress while allowing teams to evaluate potential entrants ahead of the 2027 championship.
Pre-event testing on Thursday, 22 October, and Friday, 23 October, will also provide Firhand with his first opportunities to familiarise himself with the Tatuus MSV GB4-025 before competitive running begins.
The Indonesian will join an expanding field featuring returning GB4 competitors and newcomers progressing from karting and other junior categories. Confirmed participants include Ginetta Junior champion Lewis Goff, South African karting graduate Gianna Pascoal and British F4 competitor George Proudford-Nalder.
For Firhand, the weekend represents another step in his progression from international karting into single-seater racing. Having already secured a major karting championship and completed his first British F4 appearances, he will now aim to gain experience in GB4 while continuing his development with Fortec Motorsports.
