Hitech set for UAE4 Championship Round 1
Round 1 - Yas Marina - Preview
Hitech returns to competitive action in the Middle East this week as the team begins its UAE4 Championship campaign at Round 1, fielding a four-car line-up at the opening event of the winter series.
The four-round championship features twelve races across three iconic venues, beginning where the preceding Formula Trophy concluded last December at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The series then returns to Yas Marina for Round 2 before moving to Dubai Autodrome at the end of the month for Round 3, and finishes at Lusail International Circuit in mid-February.
Competing across two entries, the team will run a pair of cars under the Hitech banner, alongside a further two cars operated as QMMF by Hitech, supporting the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation’s driver development programme.
Hitech will field two highly rated young drivers continuing their progression in Formula 4 machinery. Theo Palmer will race in car 7 on home asphalt, competing on circuits he has raced at throughout his fledgling career. Scott Kin Lindblom will race in car 8, adding further Middle East experience following a strong run of form earlier in the winter.
The duo arrive for the UAE4 opener focused on building consistency and racecraft as the championship gets underway, while also preparing for a 10-round F4 British Championship campaign beginning this Spring.
Theo Palmer:
“It’s great to be back on track after four weeks since the final round of the Formula Trophy. I’m ready to pick up where I left off and start the year strong, building momentum for the rest of the season.”
Scott Kin Lindblom:
“The Formula Trophy gave me a lot of valuable mileage across these tracks, and the winter UAE4 programme is the perfect way to continue my progression. The Middle East circuits are fast and technical, so every session helps me adapt and improve before the European season starts.”
Running under the QMMF by Hitech banner, the team will also field Qatari drivers Bader Al Sulaiti and Nasser Al Thani, continuing QMMF’s pathway for developing national talent in single-seater racing. Al Sulaiti will race car 5, with Al Thani in car 6, as the pair gain valuable experience across a busy opening round alongside strong regional competition.
UAE4 runs the latest Tatuus F4 T421 GEN2 machinery. The week begins with two days of official testing on Tuesday and Wednesday, before competitive action starts on Friday. Each round features three races, with Race 2 using a partially reversed grid for the top twelve finishers from the opener, while the grid for Race 3 will be drawn up in the order of the fastest time achieved by each driver during the second qualifying session. All races are set for 28 minutes plus one lap, with points awarded towards the Overall Championship, Rookie Cup and Teams’ Championship.
Dominic Stott, Hitech’s F4 Programmes Team Manager:
“We’re excited to get our 2026 F4 programmes underway with UAE4, which provides strong momentum following the Formula Trophy last month. There is a lot of running across the week, which is ideal for all four drivers. For Scott and Theo it’s about continuing their progression at the start of the championship, while for Bader and Nasser this is another important step in their development with QMMF.”
The four-round format provides extensive track time and multiple race opportunities, helping teams and drivers build momentum throughout the winter campaign.