Beeton joins UAE F4 field as Aussies impress in test

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 10 January 2023

Teenager Jack Beeton will be the fourth Australian on the big UAE Formula 4 grid, while compatriot James Wharton impresses in pre-season testing.

Beeton is a late addition to the FIA UAE F4 field, which begins its five-round season this weekend on January 13 and will be the only Australian amongst 18 contenders for the Rookie Cup.

The young gun will drive for Pinnacle VAR, which is the result of a collaboration between Irish outfit Pinnacle Motorsport and Dutch F3 and F3 squad Van Amersfoort Racing.

Beeton has already jumped behind the wheel for his new team, finishing 35th and 34th in separate sessions at last night’s pre-season test.

He and Indian Kai Daryanani are the only full-time drivers for the team, with Japan’s Hiyu Yamakoshi and Italy’s Brando Badoer sharing the third seat.

Beeton arrives at the opportunity with plenty of F4 experience under his belt.

Young Aussie Jack Beeton analysing data with an engineer on the final day of the FDA Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program. Photos: Xoom D’Image

Last year he got a taste of the Ferrari Driver Academy aged 14 after he was handpicked as one of just two drivers from the Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection program to attend the final at Maranello.

Beeton cut a number of F4 laps and tests before, during and after his experience with the FDA where he was the second youngest of the six drivers at the final.

In addition to the FDA final, he has had lots of karting success in Australia, most recently finishing fourth in the 2022 KA4 Junior class.

Now Beeton is ready to use the UAE F4 Series as the launch pad to ignite his international single-seater racing career.

Vans Amersfoort Racing CEO Rob Niessink said Beeton is part of a “new chapter” for the team.

“We are excited to set up the partnership with Pinnacle Motorsport. They have strongly established themselves, so joining forces will create a great opportunity to benefit from each other,” he said.

“We are excited to continue working with Brando, Rafael and Niels, but also very much welcome Jack Beeton to the team. It is yet again another new chapter for us, and we look forward to getting back to racing soon.”

Beeton joins fellow Australians Wharton, Jimmy Piszcyk and Noah Lisle on the 33-driver UAE F4 entry list, who all competed at last night’s preseason test at Dubai Autodrome.

The UAE F4 season shifted into gear with three pre-season test sessions at Dubai Autodrome last night. Image: AGI Sport Facebook

Wharton turned some heads by finishing second in two of the three sessions held.

The Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited driver started strong, being the only driver within seven tenths of a second of session 1 leader William McIntyre.

Wharton continued the fine pace throughout the day, rounding out the top five in the second session, before rising back up to second at the end.

He was one of just seven drivers to break the 2:02s barrier and the pace will give him plenty of confidence for the season opener.

Lisle got as high as 14th during the day, while Piszcyk’s personal best was 24th as the Aussies gave it their all across the three busy and competitive sessions.

The quartet of Australians will be in action in the opening round of the 2023 UAE F4 Series at Dubai this weekend on January 13-14.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

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