Hitech GP have been selected by the FIA to operate 20 Formula 4 cars, as part of the Olympics-style FIA Motorsport Games held in Vallelunga, Italy and run by SRO.
All cars will be operated by the Silverstone-based team in an ‘arrive and drive’ format, after being selected for its experience running a similar format in W Series this year.
Bespoke for Olympic Games, it will be the first hybrid-powered single-seater outside of Formula 1. It will also feature the new Halo safety device, which was not due until the next generation of F4 cars in 2021.
Designed completely from scratch, the carbon fibre composite monocoque and structural parts have been manufactured by KCMG Composites in Taiwan and is powered by a 176bhp 1.4 litre turbo-charged engine with a 12kW battery.
Hitech GP will be the single entity to run all the cars during the race weekend and the drivers will only get their first laps in the Friday practice session. Each will have a specific livery tailored to each nation, identical set-ups and limited tyres, with data being shared between all drivers and engineers. The Motorsport Games will become an annual date on the international motorsport calendar, with a different city hosting the event each year.
Hitech GP Director, Oliver Oakes, added: “This is an exciting announcement for Hitech. Working with young talented drivers is within our Racing DNA and recently by providing operational support to the W Series we have showcased our ability as a central operator. We are looking forward toVallelunga in November and seeing 20 of the youngest and brightest Formula 4 drivers line up together alongside working closely with the FIA, SRO and KCMG to deliver a successful Motorsport Games.”
FIA president Jean Todt said: “It is something new for not only motorsport followers and future generations of competitors, but also those with a general appreciation of international sport. It is another opportunity for ASNs and ACNs to engage with new audiences and harness the patriotism within their respective nations.”
Stéphane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder and Chief Executive, added: “I have long believed that this concept holds tremendous potential for our sport, as we saw last year with the FIA GT Nations Cup. Following the success of that event, it is very exciting to once again work with the FIA as we expand the concept to a variety of disciplines as part of a multi-year agreement.
“What’s more, I am thrilled that we will be able to launch in a city as magnificent and globally admired as Rome. We are at the start of something very significant and I know that we will work tirelessly alongside the FIA to deliver the standard of event that the FIA Motorsport Games deserves.”
