2026 | GB4 | Silverstone | Race 1 | Green leads Elite one-two in season opener as Hilton charges through field

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Fred Green delivered a commanding performance to win the opening GB4 race of the 2026 season at the Silverstone Circuit, controlling the race from start to finish on his single-seater debut.

The Elite Motorsport driver made a clean getaway from pole and immediately asserted control at the front. Behind him, teammate Emmilio Valentino Del Grosso made an excellent launch to move into second, overtaking both Enzo Hallman and Alex O’Grady through the opening corners.

Although Del Grosso briefly threatened for the lead on lap two with a move into Stowe, Green responded calmly and maintained his advantage. From that point onward, he controlled the pace at the front, managing both the race and his tyres effectively.

A Safety Car interruption briefly neutralised the race; however, Green executed the restart perfectly and quickly rebuilt his lead. As a result, he secured his maiden GB4 victory in dominant fashion, leading home an Elite Motorsport one-two finish.

Early battles shape the Race 1 podium fight at the 2026 GB4 opener in Silverstone

While Green controlled proceedings at the front, the battle behind provided plenty of action. Del Grosso initially faced pressure from O’Grady, who remained within striking distance during the opening laps.

At the same time, a fierce contest developed for fourth position between Jason Smyth and Thomas Ingram Hill. Smyth attempted an aggressive defensive move along the Wellington Straight, forcing Ingram Hill towards the grass. However, the Fortec driver held his line and completed a decisive pass into Brooklands.

This battle allowed Hallman, who had slipped backwards at the start, to rejoin the fight. Nevertheless, his attempt to regain positions opened the door for Dayton Coulthard, who capitalised to move into the top six.

Coulthard and Hallman then engaged in a respectful but intense battle, showcasing close racing throughout the lap. Ultimately, Coulthard emerged ahead, strengthening Douglas Motorsport’s position inside the top six.

Safety Car and restart define race outcome

The race took a brief pause when a safety car was deployed following a spin for Charlie Myers at Farm Curve on lap four. This intervention compressed the field and created an opportunity for challengers to attack at the restart.

However, Green handled the situation flawlessly. He controlled the restart at the beginning of lap seven and immediately created a gap to Del Grosso, effectively neutralising any threat from behind.

From there, the race settled into a more measured rhythm. Del Grosso secured second place without further challenge, while O’Grady completed the podium after maintaining consistent pace throughout.

Ingram Hill finished just outside the podium in fourth, narrowly missing out despite late pressure. Meanwhile, Smyth and Coulthard completed a strong double result for Douglas Motorsport in fifth and sixth respectively.

Hilton’s remarkable recovery and midfield action

One of the standout drives came from Luke Hilton, who charged from 28th on the grid to finish eighth. After being disqualified from Qualifying, Hilton produced a determined recovery, gaining 11 positions within the opening two laps.

He continued to make progress throughout the race, executing clean overtakes and capitalising on opportunities. His move around the outside of Torrin Byrne at Maggots proved particularly impressive, highlighting his confidence and racecraft.

Elsewhere, Byrne and Connor Willis completed the top ten after consistent performances in the midfield. However, late drama unfolded when Demitri Nolan and Jordyn Martin made contact at Copse on the final lap, resulting in Nolan’s retirement and a drop down the order for Martin.

A strong start to the season for Green and Elite Motorsport

Green’s composed and controlled drive ensured a perfect start to his GB4 career, converting pole position into a dominant victory. His ability to manage both the restart and race pace underlined his potential as a championship contender.

Behind him, Elite Motorsport’s one-two finish highlighted their strong early-season form, while O’Grady’s podium and Hilton’s recovery drive added further intrigue to the competitive order.

With close battles throughout the field and strong performances across multiple teams, the GB4 season opener delivered an exciting start and sets the stage for a highly competitive campaign.