Fortec Motorsport will expand their GB4 line-up for the final event of the year at Donington Park on 15-16 October, with the addition of 17-year-old Thai-American Carl Bennett.

Bennett is currently in his first year of single-seater racing, which started with a campaign in the YACademy Winter Series in February, where he established himself as a top-10 contender across events at Sebring and Homestead-Miami Speedway. 

He then progressed to a full-season programme in the Formula 4 United States Championship, where he has recorded seven top-10 finishes from 12 races so far, with his strongest results coming at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and New Jersey Motorsports Park. 

Prior to his car racing graduation at the start of the year, Bennett had been a karting ace in Asia taking multiple wins and championship titles throughout his homeland and competing in events including Rotax Max Thailand, IAME Asia Cup and the IAME International Final. 

The GB4 season finale at Donington Park will see Bennett link up with championship leader Nikolas Taylor and podium finisher Jessica Edgar at the team, for his first taste of racing in Europe. As well as looking to clinch the Drivers’ Championship with Taylor, Fortec is also aiming to overturn a 20-point gap to Hillspeed at the top of the Teams’ Championship.

Carl Bennett said: “I'm looking forward to racing in the UK with Fortec at Donington Park for the final round of the GB4 Championship. GB4 is known for its fast European racers and this is another experience for my self improvement. I will do my best to keep up with them and race smart.”

Fortec Motorsport Team Manager Oliver Dutton said: “In his short career so far, Carl has shown he’s got a lot of potential and we’re very happy to be adding him to our GB4 line-up for the final round of the year at Donington Park. He’s spent the year driving at F4 level in the USA with a different car and engine combination, but hopefully the experience he already has will give him a good starting point. 

“By working alongside Nik and Jess, he’s got two excellent drivers to learn from, and Carl’s signing puts us in a very strong position heading to Donington, where we’re aiming to secure both GB4 Championship titles.”

For more championship information, visit www.gb-4.net