Josh Skelton will return to the F4 British Championship certified by FIA – powered by Ford EcoBoost in 2019, with the Rookie Cup race-winner optimistic of challenging for overall honours with JHR Developments.

Former European karting star Skelton made his single-seater debut in Britain’s FIA-sanctioned Formula 4 series in 2018, taking a Rookie Cup victory at Rockingham and nine further class podiums as he established himself as an ever-present in the top ten across the year.

Now Skelton returns to title-contending outfit JHR with a year of experience behind him, with the 18-year old keen to build on his rookie campaign and lead the Derbyshire-based outfit to their maiden F4 title.

The team has also confirmed it is evaluating the possibility of expanding to a four-car outfit for the 2019 season.

“We had a good learning year last year and I’m looking forward to carrying over the experience into this season,” commented Skelton.

“It’s great staying with the JHR team as I know the guys well and so it will mean we can focus on getting results.

“My objective is the top three in the championship and race victories, but I’m optimistic we can go for the title. I really enjoyed Knockhill and Croft last year and we get two chances to visit Thruxton which I also enjoyed.

“Testing went well in Valencia and I’ve been training in the gym so I’m really looking forward to the start of the season.”

JHR Team Principal Steven Hunter praised Skelton’s development across his debut campaign and underlined his belief the partnership between the two will continue to progress in 2019.

“Josh progressed throughout the 2018 season,” he added.

“We all believe he will be at the sharp end of the grid as he looks forward to a full campaign with the team.

“I’m sure he’ll build on the promising form he demonstrated last year. He has already shown improvement in his lap times during winter testing, so things are falling into place and he clearly feels comfortable in the car.

“We had a good learning year together for his first time out of karts and he’ll no doubt be a driver challenging for the title in 2019.”

Skelton becomes the fifth driver to commit to Ford’s winning formula for 2019, after Carlin, Richardson Racing, Fortec Motorsport and Arden confirmed Fin Green, Luke Browning, Roberto Faria and Bart Horsten respectively before the New Year.

Further driver announcements are expected in the near future before another ten-event, thirty-race calendar gets underway in front of a capacity crowd and ITV Sport’s television cameras at Brands Hatch over the weekend of 6th-7th April.