British youngster Hugh Hobson drove a GB4 car for the first time at Snetterton recently, as his Hillspeed junior driver role kicked up a gear at the Norfolk circuit.
The teenager was inducted into the team's new programme back in July alongside fellow youngster Zak Sidney. Hobson has contested multiple karting categories this year including various Rotax Junior championships and the Kartmasters GP, where he worked closely with Hillspeed's lead GB4 charger Dan Guinchard.
That link led to the East Anglian being identified by Hillspeed as a driver with big potential, and to his first taste of a racing car at his local circuit.
"It was a fantastic experience and I enjoyed the day a lot, learning about the car and set up and working with all the team who were brilliant," Hobson said.
The youngster was left hugely impressed by the step up in performance compared to the karts he's used to.
"It was my first time in a single-seater car, it was really incredible to drive and very exciting, although a lot more physically demanding to drive compared to karting and the first time I have driven a car with downforce. But I very much enjoyed the driving experience, using the gearing and finding the braking points on the track."
Hobson has spent several months getting ready for the test, and worked closely with the team in the build-up to get as well prepared as possible.
"It has been quite a year in preparation for the test day, [starting with] a factory visit in February, to ensuring I had the right kit which of course is a completely different specification to karting" he noted.
"I've been working with a personal trainer to be able to make the physical swap from karting to cars, and was working with a driving coach on the simulator for the three weeks prior to the test.
"Richard [Ollerenshaw] and his team have been kind but very professional and extremely knowledgeable throughout my journey from the seat fitting to driver coaching and have assisted my progress in developing as a young driver."
With a first run under his belt, Hugh is aiming to gain further mileage in future months as he continues to build up his speed and experience, ahead of a hoped-for graduation into GB4 in the future.
"We are planning to do more test days in the first instance, as being on the track with drivers that had just completed the 2025 GB4 and F4 seasons highlighted the fact I needed more training and coaching to become quicker, although that said I did feel comfortable in the car from the off.
"I would, of course, love to be racing in GB4 next year, and whilst I can do test days and keep my physical and sim training going, being a normal family, my Dad and I are going to have to continue to work to obtain sponsorship which as anyone in motorsport will tell you is not easy. But we've had positive feedback from the people we have approached so far, so fingers crossed!"
