This time a year ago, Caitlyn McDaniel wasn't sure whether she'd be racing in GB4 in 2025, and was only able to commit to her maiden racing campaign on the day before the season starter at Donington Park.
This time around, she's heading into a second GB4 campaign having signed up in early December, giving her a pre-season testing period of well over four months.
Having achieved strong results in 2025 despite a huge lack of experience and only a year of karting, she's hopeful that a longer build-up for 2026 will come with big benefits.
"I’m very excited, especially now that I have a few months to prepare for the season as opposed to 12 hours!" she says.
"It’s nice to have the ability to mentally and physically prepare and train properly for the season."
If a first year of car racing wasn't difficult enough, she had to factor in moving from her homeland in the USA to the UK, and then multiple house moves as she settled. Having now found a permanent residence, she's in a better frame of mind for year two.
"Last year I was all over the place, despite wanting to do well in the championship, it was sort of the thing I could practice the least in my life because I was doing so many other things.
"So to now be fully committed and know this is what I can do 24/7, just training and prepping, it’s going to be really beneficial for me this season."
Ahead of her second season, McDaniel has switched to the Nitrous Competitions ADM Racing team, which has undergone a major expansion over the winter.
"I’m so incredibly excited, I love the team, I love everyone who works here," she enthuses. "After my first test day I was like ‘this is the team I need to be at’ because it just clicked. Automatically I just got along with everyone, and I’m super, super excited for this year."
"Gary [Ward - team owner] always hypes me up without making me overconfident, which is good to have behind me, always supporting me and always wanting me to do better and be the best I can.
"I truly believe that with his support we can hopefully win the top female prize together."
Having already stated her aim to be the highest placed female driver in GB4 this year, and to secure the €50,000 career progression prize that comes with it, Caitlyn is also hoping to raise her pace to give her the opportunity to fight at the front.
"I’d love to get a reverse grid pole, that would be incredible, and my pace so far is looking good enough to be able to do that at some point in the season" she reckons. "That’s kind of my goal, I want to get to F1 Academy, but if that isn’t possible I want to continue racing. The best results I can possibly get will help me do that, whether it’s in GTs, back in the States or somewhere else."
After a long winter, she's now getting excited to return to the track with her new team from the start of next week.
"I have a few days planned in February, so I’m looking forward to those. I’ve had withdrawals from not being in the car! I really need to be back in a car right now! But I’m excited to get back going again and I think it’s going to go well."
Images: _jcmphotos
