Hitech’s Chiara Bättig has received the 2026 Jake Cook Memorial Award, recognising her determination, resilience and development throughout her debut season in the Wera Tools F4 British Championship, certified by FIA.

The Swiss Red Bull Junior driver becomes the third recipient of the award, following Martin Molnár in 2024 and Tommy Harfield in 2025. Bättig earned the recognition after securing two podium finishes and demonstrating consistent improvement throughout the 2026 campaign.

Jake Cook Memorial Award recognises determination and personal growth

The Jake Cook Memorial Award honours drivers who demonstrate determination, hard work, resilience, personal growth and respect both on and off the track. British F4 team managers select the recipient each season, recognising achievements beyond race results.

The award commemorates Jake Cook, who passed away in November 2023 following mental health struggles. Cook competed in Ginetta Juniors, Formula Ford and Formula Renault during his racing career, becoming the first recipient of the MSA Young Driver of the Year Award in 2010.

He subsequently became an Academy Coach in British F4, sharing his experience and supporting young drivers as they progressed through the championship.

His wife, British F4 Championship Manager Eve Lake-Grange, continues to champion the award in his memory. Alongside presenting Bättig with a trophy, Lake-Grange and her family made a donation to mental health charity Mind. Teams, partners and members of the British F4 paddock also pledged a further £1,200 at the end-of-season awards.

Bättig recognised after promising 2026 British F4 campaign

Bättig made her British F4 debut with Hitech in 2026, following a successful karting career and her selection for the Red Bull Junior Team. Although the Swiss driver initially faced challenges adapting to the championship, she steadily improved as the season progressed.

Her strongest performances came at Silverstone, where she secured two third-place finishes. The first came during the Grand Prix circuit’s reverse-grid race, while the second followed at the National circuit in September.

Bättig also demonstrated her qualifying pace at Croft, securing a front-row starting position before recording two fourth-place finishes during the weekend. She ultimately finished 13th in the Drivers’ Championship with 102 points, contributing to Hitech’s Teams’ Championship victory.

Lake-Grange praised Bättig’s development throughout the season, highlighting the similarities between the young driver’s character and the qualities that Cook demonstrated during his life.

“Chiara is a deserving winner of this year’s Jake Cook Memorial Award,” said Eve. “This accolade was created in Jake’s memory, and I know he would agree with the decision our Team Managers have made.

“There are many traits that Jake possessed that Chiara has demonstrated throughout this season, and seeing her stand on the podium twice at Silverstone was fantastic. She is a real natural talent behind the wheel and has grown as both a person and a competitor as the year has gone on.

“She has a bright future ahead of her, and knowing that her name is associated with this special award not only makes me personally happy, but also underlines the incredible platform that British F4 has created for up-and-coming drivers.”

Bättig reflects on special recognition

Bättig welcomed the award, expressing her appreciation for the recognition and its significance in honouring Cook’s memory.

The Swiss driver also reflected on the progress she made throughout her debut campaign, acknowledging that her early difficulties had encouraged her to continue improving alongside Hitech.

“It is a very special award, and for a really, really good cause. It means a lot to me to have won it this year.

She continued, “It wasn’t the greatest start to the season, but we used every race to build on things, move forward and get quicker. Receiving this award from Eve is a nice acknowledgement, and I am really happy to have won it. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me – it’s a lovely way to remember my 2026 season.”

The award provides a fitting conclusion to Bättig’s first British F4 campaign, recognising both her progress behind the wheel and her contribution to the championship throughout the season.