‘In it to win it’ - Shropshire teen chases GB4 title and F1 dream

A Shropshire teenage racing ace has set his sights on securing a dream title in the “championship for aspiring F1 drivers”.

Torrin Byrne, from Much Wenlock, has stepped up to GB4 - a UK‑based single‑seater series billed as the proving ground for young drivers chasing motorsport’s pinnacle.

The 17‑year‑old, who attends Wrekin College in Wellington, made his name in the Ginetta Junior Championship, earning multiple pole positions and podiums. Now he has taken the significant leap into GB4 as he continues to pursue his ultimate Formula One ambition.

For Byrne, racing is something which runs in the family, with the teenager growing up on and around circuits.

“My dad’s been racing since I was born, so I spent a lot of time around the track and around motorsport,” he said.

“We started testing karts around six years ago, then after a couple of years we did our first race weekend. It’s definitely living the dream.”

Byrne finished ninth in the 2025 Ginetta Junior Championship standings, claiming two third‑place podiums. He also secured third in the winter series, just four points off the title, with a second‑place finish.

Reflecting on his journey so far, he added: “It’s been a lot of learning and it’s nice to get a reward for what you put in.

“It’s definitely a lifestyle - it’s all or nothing. You’re not here just to have fun, you’re in it to win it. I certainly love doing what I do.

“2025 was good. We had multiple pole positions - I think three - and a couple of podiums. Then we went into the winter series at the end of the year and finished vice‑champions overall, which is very good.”

Byrne will race for Shropshire‑based Pace Performance in the GB4 Championship.

The season begins at Silverstone in late April before heading to Oulton Park International, Donington Park (twice), Silverstone again, Snetterton and finally Brands Hatch in September.

Asked whether he is targeting the title, Byrne said: “Yes, definitely. Everyone is giving their all and there’s no reason you can’t win the championship.

“It was the natural path. We’re looking to do the best we can - and if you’re not in it to win it, you shouldn’t be there.”

Preparation has been intense, with two testing trips to Spain already completed this year.

A total of £54,000 in prize money is available, with the GB4 champion earning a £50,000 contribution towards their 2027 GB3 programme.

As for the long‑term dream, Byrne didn’t hesitate, adding: “It’s obviously the absolute dream to reach Formula One.

“Whether it’s realistic or not - because how much it costs to get to F1 is another story - but that would be the dream.”

The Wrekin College student faces a busy month ahead with further testing before lights out at Silverstone - a circuit he already knows well.

He continued: “I was at Silverstone a couple of weeks ago doing a test and it’s very exciting. The season isn’t too far away now.

“I’ve raced there for the last two years and last year we were on pole there as well!”

Despite his success in Ginetta Juniors, Byrne has yet to claim his first race win.

“We’ve had lots of podiums but never quite got a win,” he admitted. “We’ve had podiums and poles and nearly won the overall winter series, but haven’t won a race.”

But hopes that changes this year, adding: “That would be amazing.”

Each GB4 Championship race weekend includes a 15‑minute qualifying session and three 18‑minute races.

The cars themselves offer a taste of Formula One machinery, as Byrne explained: “With it being a single‑seater it’s definitely cool and nostalgic.

“When you go to Silverstone it is different to being in Ginetta, it feels almost like a dream come true because you’re in a single‑seater at Silverstone. It’s closer to F1 than a closed cockpit.”

The Pace Performance livery is predominantly white with green, and Byrne is a big fan: “Obviously, I’m going to say it’s one of the best‑looking cars on the grid. It’s a very nice car.”

Representing Shropshire on a national stage is also something he takes great pride in, especially with drivers arriving from across the world.

“To be coming from a small place in a big wider world is something to be proud of,” he said.

“There are many different nationalities this year - there’s a big American interest in particular.”

The GB4 Championship gets under way on the weekend of April 25-26 at Silverstone and will run across seven race weekends between April and October.