Formula 4 US grid swells to more than 30 cars

Haas F1 Team ace Romain Grosjean’s protégé, Benjamin Pedersen of Denmark, will drive for Global Racing Group, while competing for a partial season at Group-A Racing will be last season’s runner-up Konrad Czaczyk.

John Paul Southern Jr. has also confirmed by Jay Howard’s Motorsport Driver Development as its fourth driver.

“We couldn’t be more pleased about the continued response F4 U.S. is receiving,” said SCCA Pro Racing Vice President Steve Oseth. “It is a clear indicator of the value [the series] presents.”

Pedersen, 17, who resumes his F4 campaign in the #24 DirtFish Rally car, said: “Only 10 months ago, I sat in the DirtFish car for the first time. To grab a podium position in the first F4 race in the United States was simply amazing.

“Having Romain as a mentor is very humbling. To have someone as knowledgeable as him, is a huge advantage. I can’t wait for the red lights to go out at Homestead.”

With Pedersen’s return, Grosjean will be added to GRG’s Sporting Advisory Board prompting team president and CEO Christian Pedersen to state: “Our connections across the world to FIA Formula series is an essential element in providing opportunities for our drivers. Romain Grosjean and his team provide us tremendous help and guidance in that regard.”

Czaczyk returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway after a 2016 season in which the 20-year-old from Florida swept the inaugural event and went on to score seven more podium finishes.

Said Group-A team principal Joe Scarallo: “We are very excited about adding Konrad to our lineup this year. This is a very last minute addition but with our crew’s experience and Konrad's success last year we think we can play catch-up really quick to have some great results."

Czaczyk will compete in only three of the six F4 U.S. events; the team’s replacement, for the rounds at Indianapolis, VIR and Mid-Ohio will be announced later.

Southern, 15, has arrived at Howard’s MDD team off a season in which he scored three national karting titles.

He commented: “I’m looking forward to not only improving my driving skills but also gaining experience in public speaking, communicating clearly with engineers, building my brand and moving up the racing ladder. MDD and F4 will help me become a well-rounded athlete.”