American Connor Willis has become Hillspeed’s second driver signing for the 2026 GB4 Championship season as the talented youngster makes the step-up from the fast-paced world of Formula Ford.

The 18-year-old, from Naperville in Illinois, enjoyed a strong season in MSVR’s United Formula Ford Championship last year where he finished seventh in the driver standings. He also finished in the top-10 at both the annual Formula Ford Festival and prestigious Walter Hayes Trophy in his rookie year of Formula Ford, two of the largest Formula Ford events in the world. 

At Brands Hatch Indy Circuit in the 54th BRSCC Formula Ford Festival, the American finished on the podium in his Heat, third position, before placing fifth in his Semi-Final. In the Grand Final, Willis raced to ninth position.

One week later, Willis competed in the 25th anniversary HSCC Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone National Circuit. He won the ‘last chance’ qualification race – also setting fastest lap – and then went on to finish 10th overall in the Grand Final, gaining an impressive 19 positions on track.

Beginning his motorsport journey in 2019 in karting in the USA, Willis moved up to racing spec Mazda Miatas two and a half years later. In his very first race, Willis starred by earning pole position and leading every lap en-route to race victory. 

He made his single-seater debut by participating in one of the US-based FRP F1600 Championship events in 2023, and then travelled to the UK the following year to contest his first Walter Hayes Trophy which preceded his first full season of Formula Ford in the UK last year.