Caitlyn McDaniel will return to the GB4 Championship in 2026, making a strategic switch to the Nitrous Competitions ADM Racing collaboration. This move represents an important step in her development as she seeks to translate rookie experience into stronger on-track results.
The partnership itself brings together two ambitious operations. David Williams’ Nitrous Competitions joins forces with Gary Ward’s ADM Racing team, which made an immediate impression in its debut GB4 season by securing a podium finish. Therefore, McDaniel enters an environment that combines fresh energy with proven capability, offering a strong platform for progression.
Rookie season built on consistency
McDaniel’s debut campaign in 2025 laid a solid foundation for her future in single-seater racing. Not only did she adapt to car racing after minimal prior experience, but she also demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the season.
She achieved a 100 percent finishing record, placing her among only four drivers to complete every race. This reliability proved particularly significant given her limited preparation, as she had only contested a single season of karting through the Jamie Chadwick Series before stepping up to GB4.
Moreover, she secured multiple top-six finishes and gradually improved her pace as she gained confidence. After beginning with a structured testing programme, she made her race debut at Donington Park last April. From that point onward, she steadily worked her way forward, ultimately breaking clear of the rear of the field by the closing stages of the season.
Development accelerates in testing
Following the conclusion of the season, McDaniel continued to build momentum through an intensive testing programme. She worked exclusively with Nitrous Competitions ADM Racing during this period, allowing her to integrate fully with the team ahead of her sophomore campaign.
As a result, her performances have shown clear improvement, with increased confidence and sharper racecraft evident during recent outings. This preparation has positioned her well for the challenges of the upcoming season and reinforced her belief in the new partnership.
Looking ahead, McDaniel has made it clear that her focus now shifts from adaptation to refinement. With a year of experience behind her, she aims to apply the lessons learned and deliver more consistent front-running performances.
“I’m really happy to be joining Nitrous Competitions ADM Racing for my second year in GB4. I’ve really clicked with the team in the testing we’ve done so far, and I just know this is going to be a really exciting place to be this year. I learned a lot in my first season and now need to apply those lessons in a new environment, while adding more refinement to my performances. I can’t wait to resume our testing after the winter break, and really push on towards the new season.”
Team sees clear upward trajectory
Team Principal Gary Ward has closely observed McDaniel’s development and believes she is poised to make another significant step forward. He emphasised her ability to handle the demands of her rookie season despite limited experience and highlighted the progress already made in testing.
“We’re very pleased to confirm Caitlyn as the first signing of our new era. I was very impressed with how Caitlyn handled her first season of racing, and given her lack of experience, she did a really good job. We’ve seen big progression from her in the days we’ve done together already, and I think we’ll see her make another step forward in 2026, working alongside our soon to be announced second driver, who will really help to push her on even further.”
His remarks reflect confidence not only in her talent but also in the team structure being built around her.
Long-term vision drives partnership
In addition to immediate performance goals, the team views McDaniel as a key part of its long-term development strategy. Co-owner David Williams stressed the importance of nurturing emerging talent and identified McDaniel as an ideal candidate for that philosophy.
“2026 is going to be a very exciting season for all of us, and we’re delighted that Caitlyn has opted to sign with our team as she gets ready for her second year of competition. She’s only participated in two seasons of racing of any sort, and she’s the kind of driver we get excited about working with. We’re very keen to have a big influence in the development of young up and coming contenders, and Caitlyn gives us a perfect opportunity to play a major role in the development of a driver aiming for big things in her future career.”
This perspective reinforces the broader ambition behind the partnership, which extends beyond short-term results.
Momentum carries into 2026
As McDaniel prepares for her second GB4 season, she brings with her a combination of consistency, growing confidence, and a supportive new team environment. Crucially, her steady improvement throughout 2025 and continued gains in testing suggest she is ready to take the next step.
With a clear focus on refinement and a strong backing structure in place, she now aims to convert potential into tangible results. Consequently, the 2026 season presents a significant opportunity for McDaniel to establish herself further up the grid and continue her upward trajectory in single-seater racing.
