GranforsRacing

• Swede takes lights-to-flag victory at fabled Grand Prix track
• Storms to double pole positions with new qualifying record

Linus Granfors is back on top of the GB4 Championship standings after powering to his fifth win of the season this weekend at Silverstone. 
 
A two-time winner at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in GB4’s previous visit to the venue back in April, Granfors continued to set the pace at the famous track once again – racking up another pair of podiums.
 
The 16-year-old Swede scored a “grand chelem” win in the first race of the triple-header meeting, taking a lights-to-flag victory and setting the fastest lap. In Race 2, Granfors then again started on pole position, but had to make do with second place after picking up significant damage to his Fortec car in a first-lap clash with a fellow competitor (who was subsequently penalised for the incident).
 
“It’s been a really good weekend, where we achieved the objective of taking back the championship lead,” says Linus Granfors. “I got a good start in Race 1 and managed to control it from the front. It’s a great feeling to win at Silverstone again. 
 
“Obviously it’s a little bit of a shame what happened in Race 2 with contact on that opening lap. Still, I’m actually really pleased with my drive in that one. The car picked up a lot of damage to the right rear suspension and was sliding massively in all the left-hand corners. To be honest, I’m surprised I managed to cling on and finish second, so I’ll take that.”
 
Granfors was on blistering pace throughout the weekend, topping all five test sessions leading into qualifying. Once there, he raised the bar even higher, dipping below the previous qualifying lap record not just once, but twice, to seal double pole positions for the opening two races as previously described.
 
His pace-setting qualifying effort also placed Granfors at the back of the field for the concluding Race 3, which features a fully-reversed grid. The Swede, a rookie on the British motorsport scene this season, finished the race in eighth place.
 
After briefly surrendering the championship lead two weeks ago at Snetterton, the Silverstone outcome has now re-established Granfors at the top of the GB4 standings, 15 points clear of nearest pursuer Harry Burgoyne (GBR).
 
The GB4 Championship now heads into a summer break, with racing resuming at Donington Park on September 7-8 for the penultimate round of the season.

RESULTS

GB4 Championship
Rd. 5 – Silverstone (GBR)

Race 1
1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 9 laps
2: Lucas Blakeley (GBR), +0.523s
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), +4.729s

Race 2
1: Lucas Blakeley (GBR), 9 laps
2: Linus Granfors (SWE), +15.449s
3: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), +15.603s

Race 3
1: Finn Harrison (GBR), 7 laps
2: Jack Taylor (AUS), +4.018s
3: Branden Templeton (GBR), +4.703s
–
8: Linus Granfors (SWE), +9.598s

Complete results

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 5/7 rounds

1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 321 p.
2: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 306 p.
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 290 p.
4: Branden Templeton (GBR), 232 p.
5: Callum Baxter (CAN), 207 p.

Complete standings

• Swede looking to regain advantage in GB4 championship fight
• Fortec racer returns to site of emphatic double win

Confidence is running high for GB4 championship contender Linus Granfors as the British single-seater series returns to Silverstone this weekend, with the Swede storming to a double win at the famed Grand Prix circuit earlier this year.
 
After leading the standings for most of the campaign to date, Granfors lost his championship advantage last time out at Snetterton in a final-lap collision while battling for his fifth win of the season.
 
Now trailing new leader Harry Burgoyne by a mere three points, Granfors is determined to make amends and reclaim his erstwhile position at the top of the standings.
 
If history is anything to go by, the Swede could be well-placed to do just that this weekend as the GB4 fraternity sets camp at Silverstone for the second time this season. The Fortec rookie swept both races staged at the venue earlier this year, winning each by over seven seconds and setting a new GB4 lap record along the way.
 
“Silverstone was my best weekend so far this year, so it’s obviously a nice feeling to return there knowing how quick we were back in the April races,” says Linus Granfors. “It’s confidence-inspiring, for sure, but I would never take anything for granted. We didn’t have a great weekend at Snetterton and things move fast in racing. 
 
“That said, Silverstone is a circuit I really, really enjoy, and I can’t wait to be back. Let’s see what we can do, but clearly the target has to be to win and to try and reclaim the lead in the championship.”
 
Following two days of pre-event testing on Thursday and Friday, the weekend officially begins with qualifying on Saturday morning. Three races are scheduled to take place, with one on Saturday afternoon and the final two on Sunday.
 
All GB4 races are live-streamed on the official series website as well as YouTube and social media channels.

TIME TABLE

GB4 Championship
Rd. 5 – Silverstone (GBR)

All times local (GMT+1)

Saturday 27 July
Qualifying: 11.00-11.15
Race 1: 14.25 (18 minutes)

Sunday 28 July
Race 2: 12.15 (18 minutes)
Race 3: 17.10 (18 minutes)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 4/7 rounds

1: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 248 p.
2: Linus Granfors (SWE), 245 p.
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 232 p.
4: Branden Templeton (GBR), 180 p.
5: Callum Baxter (CAN), 178 p.

Complete standings

• Fortec rookie just misses out on Snetterton podiums
• Swede sent spinning into the barriers in last-lap victory tussle 

Linus Granfors had to surrender his GB4 Championship lead following a dramatic climax to round four of the season at Snetterton, which saw the Swede entangled in a last-lap collision while battling for the win.
 
16-year-old Granfors had carved his way into contention from ninth on the grid in the final race of the triple-header weekend, which traditionally features a reversed-grid format.
 
As the field commenced the very final lap, Granfors found himself in second place, right on the gearbox of leading Fortec team-mate Jack Taylor (GBR). With plenty of momentum on the run into Turn 1, Granfors went for a move and appeared set to snatch the lead. 
 
As the pair approached the apex, however, Taylor lost control on the inside line, spinning into the side of Granfors’ car – with both retiring on the spot.
 
Instead of celebrating his fifth win of the season, Granfors duly failed to score at all, allowing nearest title rival Harry Burgoyne (GBR) to grab a slender three-point lead in the overall standings.
 
“I went for the win today, and I think that’s what you have to do if the opportunity presents itself,” says Linus Granfors. “There were other fast drivers coming from behind, so it was either attacking or being attacked. We were side by side when unfortunately he spun and we made contact. Obviously it’s not what we wanted, but these things happen in racing and we just have to move on.”
 
In the preceding two races of the weekend, Granfors clinched a pair of fourth-place finishes.  
 
“We’ve been lacking a couple of tenths of pace this weekend, but it’s the first time I drive the car at Snetterton while the others have been here testing earlier in the year,” Linus Granfors continues. “We opted to save our tyres for the final race looking to score maximum points there, even though it cost us some lap time in the first two races. It almost paid off, until that last lap. 
 
“We might have lost the lead in the championship here, but we know what we’re capable of. We’ll do everything we can to be back on top at the next race.” 
 
The GB4 Championship continues at Silverstone, where Linus Granfors scored a double win earlier this year, on July 27-28.

RESULTS

GB4 Championship
Rd. 4 – Snetterton (GBR)

Race 1
1: Lucas Blakeley (GBR), 10 laps
2: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), +2.939s
3: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), +7.493s
–
4: Linus Granfors (SWE), +10.520s

Race 2
1: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 10 laps
2: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), +1.730s
3: Lucas Blakeley (GBR), +2.214s
–
4: Linus Granfors (SWE), +2.948s

Race 3
1: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 9 laps
2: Callum Baxter (CAN), +2.179s
3: Branden Templeton (GBR), +2.574s
–
DNF: Linus Granfors (SWE), +1 lap

Complete results

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 4/7 rounds

1: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 248 p.
2: Linus Granfors (SWE), 245 p.
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 232 p.
4: Branden Templeton (GBR), 180 p.
5: Callum Baxter (CAN), 178 p.

Complete standings

• Fortec racer heads the standings with four wins so far
• Swede coming into halfway point of first international single-seater season

Linus Granfors heads to the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk this weekend to defend his GB4 Championship points lead.
 
The Swedish rookie has opened up a 27-point advantage over British rival Harry Burgoyne going into round four of the season, which marks the resumption of GB4 racing following a seven-week break.
 
Heading into the halfway point of the campaign, 16-year-old Granfors has taken command in the standings after winning half of the eight races contested so far.
 
Looking to build on the promising start to his first season of international single-seater racing, the Fortec driver is keen for more at Snetterton.
 
“It’s been a while since our last race, so I’m really excited to get back to racing this weekend,” says Linus Granfors. “We’ve had a good start to the season with four victories, and we’ve won at all three of the circuits we’ve been to so far. The target of course is to be up there once again at Snetterton and extend our championship lead, but I’m sure a lot of people will try their best to stop us!”
 
Granfors will be out on track along with his fellow rivals on Thursday and Friday for a pair of pre-weekend test days. Official competition begins on Saturday with qualifying and the first race of the meeting. Races two and three will play out on Sunday, the latter featuring a full-reversed grid.
 
All GB4 races are live-streamed on the official series website as well as YouTube and social media channels.

TIME TABLE

GB4 Championship
Rd. 4 – Snetterton (GBR)

All times local (GMT+1)

Saturday 13 July
Qualifying: 11.40-11.55
Race 1: 17.15 (18 minutes)

Sunday 14 July
Race 2: 12.40 (18 minutes)
Race 3: 17.35 (18 minutes)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 3/7 rounds

1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 203 p.
2: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 176 p.
3: Brandon McCaughan (IRE), 171 p.
4: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 137 p.
5: Branden Templeton (GBR), 130 p.

Complete standings

• Swede wins again to extend championship lead
• Triumphant start to new partnership with Compound Footwear

Linus Granfors equalled the GB4 Championship win streak record by scoring his fourth consecutive victory in the British single-seater series this weekend at Donington Park. 

Contesting his first season of international racing, 16-year-old Granfors continued to upstage the opposition by controlling the first race of the weekend to win from pole position.  

The effort combined with previous triumphs at Oulton Park and Silverstone to extend Granfors’ run of consecutive victories to four, tying the GB4 record. Fittingly, the success came on a weekend when Granfors announced a new sponsorship arrangement with Compound Footwear, giving the partnership a winning start.    

“Four in a row!”says Linus Granfors. “It’s been a great weekend. Donington was yet another new track for me, so it took a couple of sessions to get up to speed, but in the end we managed to do so and win the first race. I got a good start from pole and was able to control it up front, even if the tyres went off a little bit more than I expected. 

“Now, we have won at all three circuits we’ve been to this year, which is very encouraging.”

Granfors laid the foundations for victory in Saturday’s qualifying session, where he set both the outright fastest and second-fastest lap to bag pole position for both Race 1 and Race 2 of the meeting.

After winning the opening encounter, Granfors faced the possibility of a fifth straight victory in Race 2, although stalled at the start and dropped down the order. He eventually managed to battle back to fourth place.

The weekend then concluded with the reverse-grid Race 3, where the Swede started 15th and last but progressed to ninth by the chequered flag.

Following the third round of the season, Granfors has extended his GB4 Championship lead from 14 to 27 points.  

“It’s been a good weekend overall,”Linus Granfors concludes. “It was a shame to miss out on the win in Race 2, but it was my own mistake stalling at the start. I’m actually really pleased that we still finished fourth in that race. The last race was a bit intense, which is quite typical for a reverse-grid event, but we’ve scored a lot of points this weekend and extended our championship lead. It’s been very good.” 

The next round of the GB4 Championship takes place at Snetterton on July 13-14.

RESULTS

GB4 Championship
Rd. 3 – Donington Park (GBR)

Race 1
1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 13 laps
2: Brandon McCaughan (IRE), +0.620s
3: Liam McNeilly (GBR), +3.073s

Race 2
1: Brandon McCaughan (IRE), 10 laps
2: Liam McNeilly (GBR), +5.566s
3: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), +13.199s
4: Linus Granfors (SWE), +14.691s

Race 3
1: Branden Templeton (GBR), 7 laps
2: Callum Baxter (CAN), +7.700s
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), +8.473s
–
9: Linus Granfors (SWE), +16.655s

Complete results

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 3/7 rounds

1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 203 p.
2: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 176 p.
3: Brandon McCaughan (IRE), 171 p.
4: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 137 p.
5: Branden Templeton (GBR), 130 p.

Complete standings

• Swede gains backing from British-based company recycling used racing tyres 
• Granfors leads the standings as GB4 field heads to Donington Park

GB4 Championship leader Linus Granfors will enter a new partnership with Compound Footwear heading into the third round of the season this weekend at Donington Park.

Granfors heads the GB4 standings having won three of the opening five races, and is pleased to announce fresh support in his championship quest.

Based in Britain, Compound Footwear takes motorsport industry waste and converts it into unique, recycled, sustainable sneakers. The product range incorporates sustainable materials and recycled tyre rubber that not only reduces environmental impact, but is also an attractive step towards a cleaner, greener future.

“It’s really cool to have Compound Footwear onboard for the ride from this weekend at Donington Park,” says Linus Granfors. “It’s clearly an innovative business, connecting racing and sustainability in a very clever way. Using their products, you’re basically walking on racing grip! I hope to have a lot of the same out on track this weekend and that we can battle up front once again.”

The collaboration will see Granfors’ Fortec Motorsports car adorned with Compound Footwear branding as the 16-year-old Swede once again targets the top step of the podium.

“We at Compound are delighted to be sponsoring Linus, such a talented, promising young driver who is already delivering incredible results,” says Alex Witty, founder. “As a new brand at the start of our journey, we’re really excited to support a young driver at the start of their journey as well. 

“We wish Linus and the team all the best for a very successful season.”

Granfors leads the GB4 standings by 14 points heading into this weekend, which features the regular event format of one qualifying session and three races. Qualifying and Race 1 are scheduled for Saturday and the final two races on Sunday. 

The race weekend is preceded by two days of testing on Thursday and Friday. 

TIME TABLE

GB4 Championship
Rd. 3 – Donington Park (GBR)

All times local (GMT+1)

Saturday 25 May
Qualifying: 10.50-11.05
Race 1: 17.05 (18 minutes)

Sunday 26 May
Race 2: 10.05 (18 minutes)
Race 3: 16.15 (18 minutes)

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 2/7 rounds

1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 134 p.
2: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 120 p.
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 104 p.
4: Brandon McCaughan (IRE), 89 p.
5: Branden Templeton (GBR), 87 p.

Complete standings

– Swede sweeps the weekend at British Grand Prix venue
– Both Granfors brothers now victorious around Silverstone

Linus Granfors snatched the GB4 Championship points lead with an emphatic double win this weekend at the fabled Silverstone circuit. 
 
16-year-old Granfors dominated both races staged at the British Grand Prix venue, bringing his tally of consecutive GB4 wins up to three after also winning the final race of the Oulton Park season-opener.  

The Fortec Motorsports rookie swept the weekend with a pair of committed overtaking moves that netted him an early lead in both races, before pulling away to win each by over seven seconds. On his way to victory, Granfors also set a new GB4 lap record in Race 1.

“It’s been a great weekend,” says Linus Granfors. “I had a good feeling coming to Silverstone after pacing testing there before, and it proved well-founded. The pace was great in both the wet and dry, and winning both races here is obviously a dream result.”

Fittingly, the Silverstone victories came on a weekend when Granfors’ older brother Joel – himself a two-time winner at the track in GB3 – was on site in support of his younger sibling.

“Having Joel and my family here just makes a weekend like this all the more special,” Linus Granfors concludes. “Joel has had a lot of success here and his input has been really useful. It’s been a weekend I’ll probably remember for a long time!” 

As per the typical GB4 event format, the weekend was originally due to feature a third race, but heavy rain caused that to be cancelled.

The GB4 Championship resumes at Donington Park on May 25-26. Linus Granfors leads the standings on 134 points, 14 clear of Britain’s Harry Burgoyne.

RESULTS

GB4 Championship
Rd. 2 – Silverstone (GBR)

Race 1
1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 9 laps
2: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), +7.017s
3: Marcus Luzio (GBR), +10.851s

Race 2
1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 9 laps
2: Finn Harrison (GBR), +7.605s
3: Leon Wilson (GBR), +8.664s

Complete results

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

GB4 Championship
After 2/7 rounds

1: Linus Granfors (SWE), 134 p.
2: Harry Burgoyne (GBR), 120 p.
3: Alisha Palmowski (GBR), 104 p.
4: Brandon McCaughan (IRE), 89 p.
5: Branden Templeton (GBR), 87 p.

Complete standings

Linus Granfors returns to the GB4 Championship grid this weekend at Silverstone in a bid to repeat his on-debut victory from the opening round of the season.
 
Granfors made an instant impression on the field on his international single-seater debut at Oulton Park on Easter weekend, scoring an eye-catching win in the final race of the meeting despite being pitched into a spin on the opening lap.
 
Despite having never driven at Oulton Park before the event, the 16-year-old Swede left the curtain-raiser sitting second overall in the GB4 standings – and now the Fortec Motorsport youngster is back for more in round two of the campaign.
 
“I can’t wait to be back with the team at Silverstone this weekend and try to build on our lessons from Oulton Park,” says Linus Granfors. “It was a mixed weekend in terms of the weather, so it was hard to get into a proper rhythm and a pretty difficult challenge for my first-ever event in the UK. To go away from there with a victory was really encouraging and that’s what we’re aiming for once again.” 
 
Intriguingly, Granfors’ first and only pre-season test day in the GB4 car came at Silverstone, the site of this weekend’s races, where he topped all sessions staged and lapped below the existing track record.
 
“We had a really good test at Silverstone last month and it’s the only track on the calendar I know going into the race weekend,” Linus Granfors concludes. “That’s obviously a help. We saw the strength of the field at Oulton Park, but I’m feeling confident. Let’s try to have another good weekend.”
 
GB4 running begins at Silverstone on Thursday and Friday with two days of pre-event testing. Qualifying and Race 1 takes place on Saturday, followed by races two and three on Sunday.

– Swedish rookie takes victory at GB4 Championship opener
– Fortec racer battles back to clinch last-lap win at Oulton Park 

Swedish rookie Linus Granfors launched himself onto the British single-seater arena with an instant victory at the opening round of the GB4 Championship at Oulton Park on Easter weekend.
 
16-year-old Granfors performed an unlikely triumph in the third and final race of the curtain-raising meeting on Monday evening, battling back to victory despite being spun around on the opening lap – making a race-winning move for the lead on the final tour.
 
The effort marks the first-ever win for a Swedish driver in GB4, which is positioned one step below Britain’s top-tier GB3 Championship – where Linus’ older brother Joel finished as runner-up in 2022. Like his brother before him, Linus Granfors is racing for Fortec Motorsports, continuing a family story with a fresh dose of success this weekend.
 
 “It’s fantastic to come here to the UK and win on my first weekend in the championship,” says Linus Granfors. “It’s been a lot to learn, but I have to thank the team for understanding what I need from a car to be comfortable out on track. We only had one day of testing together before coming here, but we took it step by step and in the end we managed to win the final race. I’m super happy, and super proud of all of us.”

Granfors entered the opening round of the GB4 campaign with minimal preparations, having spent just a single day in the car at Silverstone a week prior. The young Swede was not helped by the typical British weather, with plenty of rain affecting the practice sessions and leaving him with very little dry running heading into qualifying and the races.
 
Despite that, Granfors swiftly proved his pace in the first race, lapping less than a tenth shy of the fastest lap. After stalling at the start, however, he had to make do with seventh place at the flag, which was then followed up with a P4 result in a rain-affected Race 2 before clinching victory in the Race 3 finale.
 
”Linus’ first weekend with us ended with a win, which I think says it all,” says Ollie Dutton, Fortec Motorsports team principal. ”We knew his potential going in and he duly delivered on that promise. It’s extra impressive when you consider he didn’t do any of the pre-season tests here; this was his first time ever at this track. It’s a great start and it goes to show what can be achieved if you work efficiently together.”
 
Linus Granfors leaves the Easter weekend opener sitting second in the overall GB4 standings, behind early leader Harry Burgoyne (GBR).

GB4 Championship
Rd. 1 – Oulton Park (GBR)

RESULTS: www.gb-4.net

– Multiple Swedish champion makes international single-seater debut

Record-setting Swedish junior champion Linus Granfors will join Fortec Motorsports for his international single-seater debut at this weekend’s GB4 Championship opener at Oulton Park.
 
16-year-old Granfors has followed in the footsteps of his brother, 2022 GB3 Championship runner-up Joel, with commanding performances in his native Sweden in recent years. After winning the Aquila Formula 1000 title in 2021, Linus went on to dominate the Formula Nordic standings in 2023, winning a record-setting 13 consecutive races to clinch the championship by early summer.
 
Following a highly encouraging test day with Fortec last week at Silverstone – in which Granfors topped every session and dipped below the existing lap record on his first day in the Formula 4-spec GB4 car – the decision has now been made to go racing together at this weekend’s season-opener at Oulton Park.
 
“It’s very exciting to make my UK race debut this weekend,” says Linus Granfors. “I attended several races when Joel drove for Fortec in 2021 and 2022, so I do feel at home and integrated with the team already. We had a really good test last week, my first day in the car and my first experience around Silverstone, and hopefully it can translate into some strong races at Oulton Park.” 

Alongside his single-seater achievements last year, Granfors also joined the inaugural edition of NXT Gen Cup, the world’s first all-electric junior touring car championship. 

Despite sitting out pre-season testing and transitioning to a front-wheel-drive, electric car, he quickly picked up another four victories – including a double win at Germany’s Nürburgring – and led the standings entering the final race of the season, eventually finishing second after retiring from the finale with a technical issue.

Granfors was recently named Junior Racing Driver of the Year at the annual Swedish Motorsport Awards. He also received the 2024 Rydell Special Award from 1998 BTCC champion Rickard Rydell, and won a scholarship from the Ronnie Peterson Memorial Foundation. 

“What we’ve seen of Linus in the little testing we’ve done together is absolutely impressive,” says Fortec Motorsports team manager Ollie Dutton. “He’s done literally one day in the car, last week at Silverstone, and he immediately topped every single session and went below the existing lap record. We’re massively excited to have him with us at Oulton Park this weekend and to continue our excellent relationship with the Granfors family.” 

The GB4 Championship is positioned one step below GB3, the UK’s top-tier single-seater series. Running at Oulton Park begins with practice on Thursday and Friday, leading into qualifying and the first race of the season on Saturday. Following a day off on Easter Sunday, racing then resumes with another pair of races on Monday. 

FURTHER INFORMATION: www.gb-4.net