Much Wenlock’s Torrin Byrne chasing first win after charge to maiden podium

Much Wenlock racer Torrin Byrne has set his sights on a first GB4 Championship victory after securing a maiden podium finish.

The teenage ace stormed through the field at Donington Park last month, climbing from 17th on the grid to finish third in race two.

The ‘championship for aspiring Formula One drivers’ returns to Silverstone between July 30 and August 2, with Byrne aiming to build on his breakthrough result. Sitting 73 points off the championship lead, the 17-year-old believes he and his Shropshire-based team Pace Performance are heading in the right direction.

“I feel in a much stronger place now,” Byrne told the GB4 Championship’s website

“I’m looking forward to proving what we have again. It’s just maximising what we have all the time. It’s what we try to do every round and I’m sure we’ll continue to do that throughout (the season).

“The win is definitely the next thing on the list.”

Byrne, who attends Wrekin College in Wellington, endured a frustrating first visit to Silverstone earlier this season, finishing ninth in the opening race before suffering a retirement after a crash in race two. He then came home 11th in the final race after being forced to avoid another incident.

However, the Much Wenlock teenager showed encouraging pace during the championship’s mid-season test before converting that speed into his maiden podium at Donington.

Despite competing in his debut GB4 campaign, Byrne has consistently finished inside the top 10 and admitted finally reaching the podium was a satisfying reward for the work put in.

“It’s quite relieving really because it’s pace that we have definitely had,” said the 17-year-old.

“I think we did a very good job with the situation we had after qualifying. I don’t think the podium really shows that (fully), we kept a very positive outlook which really helped us through the weekend.”

Byrne’s drive from 17th to third saw him gain 14 places and claim his first piece of silverware of the season.

He admitted the hectic nature of the race meant it took some time for the achievement to sink in.

“It didn’t really sink in until I got back to the assembly area,” said Byrne.

“We were up nine places after lap one and it was really just a race of staying out of trouble. I did that very well and we stayed out of trouble efficiently, gaining as many places as we could.”

The impressive weekend at Donington lifted Byrne to seventh in the drivers’ standings ahead of round four at Silverstone.

GB4 is designed as a proving ground for young drivers pursuing a career in Formula One. Each race weekend features one qualifying session and three races.

A total prize fund of £54,000 is on offer this season, with the champion receiving a £50,000 contribution towards a GB3 programme in 2027.