Ginetta Junior runner-up and F4 race-winner Chase Fernandez will return to single-seater action with GB4 newcomers R Racing at the inaugural Winter Series at Snetterton on 24/25 October.

The 17-year-old from Manchester has established himself as one of the UK’s most versatile young contenders, having competed in a range of single-seater, sports cars and tin top categories across the past four seasons. 

His karting career began aged nine, and he quickly racked up championship honours, securing the Cadet Kart championship the year after his debut. He moved up to the British Karting Championship in 2021 and was then crowned the youngest ever winner of the Ginetta Junior Scholarship in 2022. 

Having made his car racing debut in that year’s Ginetta Junior Winter Series, he completed the full campaign in 2023 and finished sixth overall, with more wins than any other driver except for title-winning teammate Freddie Slater. 

He just missed out on the outright title the following year, but doubled his win tally and claimed an additional nine podiums. He then made an immediate graduation to single-seaters with stints in the Spanish F4 Championship and the Middle East Trophy, where he claimed two Rookie class wins.

British F4 was Chase’s full-time commitment in 2025, and he took a victory on his debut weekend at Donington Park, and was a constant top-six threat with further silverware coming at Oulton Park. He also gained further experience with appearances in the USF Juniors Championship, the NASCAR Euro Series and in F4 CEZ, claiming a podium at the Red Bull Ring. 

After making Mini Challenge appearances this year, Fernandez also returned to the R Racing team as a driver coach for its Ginetta Junior contenders, helping the team to its sixth consecutive championship title. He’ll now lead the squad’s maiden appearance in single-seaters, as it looks to transfer its sports car success into GB4.