- Fortec driver becomes first non-Brit to win GB4 title
- Ends on a high with podium triple at Brands Hatch
Linus Granfors has clinched the 2024 GB4 Championship title, sealing the deal at this weekend’s season-finale at Brands Hatch.
The Swede becomes the first non-British driver to win the UK junior single-seater series, going out on a high with a trio of podiums in the final round of the campaign at the iconic Brands Hatch GP loop.
17-year-old Granfors led the standings heading into the finale, and clinched the title with a race to spare courtesy of a P2 finish in Race 2 of the triple-header meeting in Kent.
“It’s a great feeling to win the championship, of course,” says Linus Granfors. “That was the very clear target going into the weekend, and that’s what we achieved. This is the most significant success yet in my career and I really want to thank my team, Fortec Motorsport, for giving me a quick car all year. Now I’ll celebrate with my family tonight before going back to Sweden tomorrow.”
Granfors was on imperious form throughout the Brands Hatch finale, setting a new qualifying lap record on his way to double pole positions. The Swede initially maintained his lead in Race 1, but went off at the end of the opening lap and slipped to fourth. He later battled back to finish third.
Even though he missed out on a potential victory, Granfors’ Race 1 effort still laid the foundations for his subsequent sealing of the title in Race 2 on Sunday, where second place was more than enough to put it beyond reach for the opposition.
Granfors later completed a weekend podium clean-sweep in the reverse-grid Race 3, where he powered through from 11th on the grid to finish third.
With a season tally of 467 points, Granfors wins the GB4 title and is the only non-British driver in the top six of the final standings. The outcome marks the Swede’s third career single-seater title in four years, following on from previous championship triumphs in Scandinavia’s Aquila Formula 1000 (2021) and Formula Nordic (2023) series.
“It’s been a great season,” Linus Granfors concludes. “It’s been a lot to learn; all new circuits, a new car, a new language in engineering, but it’s gelled from session one. We started out with a new lap record at Silverstone in pre-season testing, and then we’ve just kept going. I’ve felt really confident with the car and we’ve done our homework every weekend.
“It’s a season in which I’ve developed a lot, and winning the title is the ultimate reward for everyone involved.”
Linus Granfors’ 2024 GB4 campaign has featured six victories (the most of anyone), a further four podiums, and winning the George Russell Pole Position Cup courtesy of an unrivalled six pole positions. Granfors’ season qualifying average is a staggering 2,5.
As a reward for his championship success, Granfors is awarded a £50,000 career contribution prize towards either a British Formula 4 or GB3 Championship campaign in 2025.
RESULTS
GB4 Championship
Rd. 7 – Brands Hatch (GBR)
Race 1
1: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 13 laps
2: Lucas Blakeley (GBR), +0.177s
3: Linus Granfors (SWE), +6.629s
Race 2
1: Lucas Blakeley (GBR), 13 laps
2: Linus Granfors (SWE), +7.727s
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), +9.529s
Race 3
1: Finn Harrison (GBR), 10 laps
2: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), +3.518s
3: Linus Granfors (SWE), +3.775s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
GB4 Championship
After 7/7 rounds
1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 467 p.
2: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 422 p.
3: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 421 p.
4: Branden Templeton (GBR), 317 p.
5: Lukas Blakeley (GBR), 306 p.