Reigning Champions Double R Racing have been buoyed by their positive start to winter testing ahead of the new F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost season.

The Woking-based outfit completed a positive week of running at both Donington Park and Oulton Park with their recently-announced driver pairing of Louis Foster and the returning Sebastian Alvarez.

After securing their maiden title at Brands Hatch last October in the hands of Kiern Jewiss – with six victories, an additional twelve podium finishes and an unprecedented record number of points – the focus now switches in earnest to repeating the feat in 2019.

Entering his second year with the team, Alvarez’s focus is on utilising his experience and pushing forward for overall podium finishes this year after several Rookie Cup successes last term.

“I’m really looking forward to my second season in F4,” said Alvarez.

“I learnt so much last year and I can’t wait to put into practice this year. Podiums is the goal, so let’s see what we can do.”

Foster is another widely-tipped to be challenging on all fronts when the season begins at Brands Hatch in early April, switching to British F4 after claiming an unparalleled nine race victories en route to the Ginetta Junior Vice-Champion honours last term.

“It’s been a perfect start to the year with Double R,” he enthused.

“With two successful days at Donington earlier in the week and today at Oulton, we couldn’t have asked for more. I’m really enjoying driving the F4 car and preparing for what’s to come and translating our pace into points.”

Their optimism was echoed by F4 Team Manager Matthew Willet, who expects his outfit to come out fighting in 2019 and defend their status as the ‘team to beat’ after such a positive start to their winter programme.

“We’ve had a great week with our 2019 drivers at Donington and today at Oulton Park,” added Willet.

“It’s been fantastic to start the year so positively. We’re looking forward to competing against Carlin once again and the aim this year is of course, to defend our title from the off.”