Franciszek Cegielski will remain with Fortec Motorsports for the 2027 GB4 Championship, continuing his partnership with the British outfit following an impressive debut season in single-seater racing. The 17-year-old Polish driver will also contest the inaugural GB4 Copa del Sol in February, using the three-round Spanish competition to prepare for his second full championship campaign.
The announcement follows a successful rookie season in which Cegielski secured eighth in the overall Drivers’ Championship and claimed GB4’s inaugural Rookie Driver Title. Having quickly adapted to car racing following his graduation from karting, the Warsaw-born youngster will now target outright championship success with Fortec.
Cegielski builds on impressive rookie GB4 campaign
Cegielski established himself as one of the standout newcomers during the 2026 GB4 Championship, demonstrating consistent race pace and an ability to compete against drivers with considerably more single-seater experience.
Despite entering the season directly from karting, he quickly adapted to the demands of the category, recording 15 top-10 finishes across the seven-round campaign. His performances also demonstrated encouraging one-lap speed, with the Polish youngster qualifying inside the top ten on ten occasions.
Moreover, his consistency proved particularly important throughout the championship. Cegielski completed 20 of the season’s 21 races, suffering just one retirement while regularly collecting points against the more experienced competitors.
His efforts eventually earned him eighth in the overall Drivers’ Championship with 232 points, placing him 67 ahead of his nearest rookie rival, Conor Grant.
The results also secured him the inaugural Rookie Driver Title, which recognised competitors who entered the season with no more than three previous car-racing events.
Having secured the 2026 GB4 Rookie Title at Brands Hatch, Cegielski concluded his maiden single-seater campaign with a championship honour and a strong foundation for his return in 2027.
Donington Park podium highlights early potential
One of Cegielski’s most significant achievements came during the championship’s first visit to Donington Park in June, where he secured his maiden overall podium in only his seventh single-seater race.
The Fortec driver started second in Race 1 and immediately established himself as Luke Hilton’s closest challenger. Although Hilton initially opened an advantage, an early Safety Car intervention brought the field back together and presented Cegielski with another opportunity to challenge for victory.
Following the restart, the Polish rookie maintained second place despite pressure from Dayton Coulthard. He subsequently closed the gap to Hilton during the closing stages, remaining within striking distance as the pair approached the chequered flag.
Ultimately, just 0.528 seconds separated the leading drivers as Hilton resisted Cegielski’s late challenge at Donington Park, leaving the Fortec youngster to celebrate his first overall podium.
Although further podium appearances eluded him during the remaining rounds, the result demonstrated his ability to challenge established competitors. His consistent points finishes subsequently allowed him to maintain control of the Rookie Championship battle.
Successful karting career provides racing foundations
Before entering GB4, Cegielski developed his racing experience through several seasons of national and international karting competition.
His early achievements included finishing runner-up in the 2021 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in the Mini Max category, demonstrating his potential against an international field.
He continued developing his skills in subsequent seasons, competing in the Italian Karting Championship before securing the Polish Rotax Max Challenge Junior title in 2023.
The following year, Cegielski finished runner-up in the Polish OK Junior Championship, further strengthening his reputation within the country’s junior karting scene.
He subsequently progressed into the OK-N category, claiming the 2025 Polish Championship while gaining additional experience at European and World Championship level.
His international results included eighth place in the OK-N World Cup, alongside appearances in the FIA European and World Karting Championships.
These achievements helped establish the foundations for his transition into single-seater racing, with Fortec Motorsports providing the opportunity to begin his car-racing career in 2026.
Continuity with Fortec strengthens 2027 championship ambitions
Cegielski’s decision to remain with Fortec Motorsports provides continuity as he prepares to challenge for outright honours in his second GB4 season.
The team already boasts an impressive record in the championship, having secured Drivers’ titles with Nikolas Taylor in 2022 and Linus Granfors in 2024.
Furthermore, Fortec continued its competitive form during 2026, with Thomas Ingram Hill finishing fourth in the overall Drivers’ Championship. Cegielski’s Rookie Title provided another success for the organisation, while Jordyn Martin finished as the championship’s highest-placed female driver.
The team will now look to build on those achievements as it prepares for another competitive campaign.
For Cegielski, remaining with the same organisation offers several advantages. Having already established a working relationship with the team’s engineers and personnel, he can focus on refining his performance rather than adjusting to an unfamiliar environment.
His experience from the 2026 season should also provide a stronger technical foundation, particularly as he looks to convert his qualifying pace into more regular podium finishes and victories.
Cegielski targets Copa del Sol and main championship titles
Following the announcement, Cegielski expressed his enthusiasm about continuing with Fortec Motorsports and outlined his ambitions for the upcoming season.
“I’m so excited to be coming back to GB4 next year with Fortec. We made really strong progress together this year, and I’m certain that we can challenge for wins and the title in 2027. The races in Spain will be vital preparation for the main season, and I’m hoping that I can add the Copa Del Sol and then the Main Season title to my Rookie Title from 2026.”
His comments reflect the confidence he has developed following his first season in competitive single-seater racing.
Having already demonstrated his ability to challenge towards the front, Cegielski will now aim to establish himself as a consistent victory contender throughout the 2027 campaign.
The additional Spanish racing programme should also provide an opportunity to continue improving his qualifying performance, racecraft and understanding of the car before the main championship begins.
Dutton backs Cegielski as 2027 title contender
Fortec Motorsports Team Principal Oliver Dutton welcomed Cegielski’s return, highlighting the progress he demonstrated throughout his rookie season.
“Franek made a superb adaptation to car racing this season, and was unlucky not to claim more podium finishes. His maturity is way beyond those with similar experience levels and considering it was his first year out of karting, his speed was awesome. He ticks all the boxes to be a championship contender in 2027, and that is our only target in both the Copa Del Sol and the main season next year.”
Dutton’s assessment underlines Fortec’s expectations heading into 2027, with the team targeting championship success in both competitions.
The partnership also provides an opportunity to build on the progress Cegielski demonstrated during the previous campaign. His strong race-finishing record and competitive qualifying performances offer an encouraging starting point, although converting that consistency into regular victories will remain a priority.
Copa del Sol offers additional preparation in Spain
Before returning to the main GB4 Championship, Cegielski will participate in the inaugural Copa del Sol, which will introduce international racing to the category for the first time.
The new GB4 Copa del Sol competition will feature three consecutive race weekends across Spain during February, providing competitors with nine races and additional testing opportunities.
MotorLand Aragón will host the opening round on 13–14 February before the championship moves to Circuito del Jarama on 20–21 February. Circuito de Jerez will conclude the competition on 27–28 February.
Each weekend will feature two qualifying sessions and three races, allowing drivers to develop both their outright pace and racecraft across different circuit layouts.
The schedule also includes five days of pre-event testing across the three venues, giving competitors valuable opportunities to work on car setup and technical development.
For Cegielski, the competition will provide an important opportunity to prepare for the main season while pursuing his first outright single-seater championship title.
Seven-round GB4 season begins at Snetterton
Following the Spanish competition, Cegielski will return to the United Kingdom for the traditional seven-round GB4 Championship.
The revised 2027 GB4 calendar will begin at Snetterton on 10–11 April, before visiting Silverstone and Oulton Park during May.
Donington Park will host the fourth round in July, followed by a second visit to Silverstone in August and a trip to Brands Hatch in September. The championship will then conclude at Donington Park on 16–17 October.
The schedule will feature 21 races across seven weekends, with five rounds running alongside the British GT Championship.
Notably, Cegielski will return to Donington Park twice during the campaign, giving him additional opportunities to build on his maiden podium at the circuit.
With the Rookie Title already secured, the Polish youngster will enter 2027 with considerably more experience and a clear objective of challenging for the overall championship.
His continued partnership with Fortec Motorsports, combined with the additional mileage available through Copa del Sol, provides an encouraging foundation as he prepares for his second season in single-seater racing.
