About Formula Ford

The British Formula Ford Championship is regarded as the most vibrant single-seater championship in the world. Many former F1 World Champions have launched their careers in Formula Ford including Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher. Indeed in 2007 almost half of the F1 grid had graduated through Formula Ford, including 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen.

Current British F1 drivers Jenson Button and David Coulthard were both Formula Ford Champions, while Indycar drivers Danica Patrick and Dan Clarke are also graduates.Formula Ford is an entry-level category of racing that provides young drivers with a unique opportunity to learn about car set-up and mechanical grip, experiences that stay with drivers throughout their careers.

Formula Ford Championships are run around the world including series in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Asia, and South Africa.The British Championship has an impressive 40-year heritage and provides its graduates with credibility in the eyes of the global motorsport community - more so than any other junior single seater category.

The leading Formula Ford drivers normally move straight to Formula 3 and then possibly to GP2 before entering F1 or Indycar. The British Championship continues to go from strength to strength with new teams and drivers joining the series each year. 2008 witnessed the most successful year for British Formula Ford in recent memory. Strong grids and exceptional racing attracted the attention of press, public and the motorsport industry.

The British Championship in 2009 is being contested over 25 races and supports every UK round of the British Formula 3 Championship. Supporting F3 has proved to be the perfect environment for both the drivers and teams with a number of leading Formula Ford drivers from previous year’s making successful transitions into Formula 3.

Formula Ford F1 Champions
James Hunt
Emerson Fittipaldi
Ayrton Senna
Nigel Mansell
Damon Hill
Mika Hakkinen
Michael Schumacher
Kimi Raikkonen