Double Wera Tools British Kart Champion Daniel Guinchard will make the leap into single-seater racing in 2022 as he tackles the ROKiT British F4 Championship certified by FIA.
The 15-year-old ace made history in 2021 by securing both the Junior Rotax and IAME X30 British Kart Championship titles in what was a stellar season for the Argenti Motorsport driver.
Now, he will make the next step of his already impressive career by joining the prestigious British F4 grid, activating the Argenti pathway from karting to circuit racing with absolute precision.
Guinchard is a highly regarded figure throughout the British Karting Championship paddock, having cut his teeth in the Honda Cadet category at an early age, his sights were soon set on aiming for more than domestic acclaim.
“My motorsport career began when I was just nine years old” he explains.
“The Honda Cadet class was the perfect proving ground to establish myself in karting and it allowed me to compete across the UK, gaining valuable experience along the way. In 2020, I raced in Germany in the OKJ Championship where I secured victory and that really inspired me to push my career further and return to the British Kart Championships”
And the 2021 season would arguably play out as one of the most impressive BKC seasons for a karter in recent times, stamping his name firmly on the motorsport roll of honour thanks to a busy year behind the wheel of both the IAME and Rotax classes.
“I don’t think anything could have prepared me for what was to come in 2021” he continues.
“I stepped into the newly-established Argenti Motorsport kart team and tackled five championships – becoming champion in all five, including the British Kart Championships where I made history by winning both the Junior Rotax and IAME X30 series”.
And there is no denying that his BKC season has been pivotal in the rapid progression of his motorsport career as Guinchard makes the leap into the hotbed of action within the motor racing world, the British F4 Championship. His approach to the challenge ahead is a simple one, however.
“My main focus right now is the 2022 British F4 season and starting my single-seater journey and ensuring that I push myself to the best of my ability.”
“The Argenti team have been incredibly supportive since signing me to race in the series. With this being my debut season in car racing there is a lot to learn, but the team have continually taken the time to help me adapt to these changes and provided me with the assistance I need to get the best out of myself on track. Testing throughout the Winter has been challenging, but overall has been a great learning curve for me. I have continued to develop with each session that passes, which makes us feel confident about the season ahead.”
His impressive BKC season did not go unnoticed in the Formula One paddock either.
“The BKC was pivotal to my progression and not only have these accomplishments [BKC titles] led to beginning my car racing career in the 2022 British F4 season, but they also caught the attention of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team who made me a member of the 2022 Junior Programme.”
Impressive stuff indeed from the young racer. But what skills from karting can he take into his debut F4 season?
“There are obvious differences between karting and racing an F4 car, but one aspect of racing in the British Kart Championships that I believe has prepared me for this year is the high pressure from the race weekends, which over time I have learnt to deal with. The 2021 kart season was a challenging year of racing, and I had some fierce competition out on track. This has taught me is to remain focused on myself when I am out on track and what I can do to get further up the grid.”
And Guinchard as some advice for British Kart Championship contenders, looking to follow in his footsteps.
“Everything I have learnt in my karting career has played a vital role in my progression into car racing and was vital in making this opportunity a reality. During my years of karting, I have learnt how determination, discipline and passion are key in this industry, as well as having a supportive network of people behind you the whole way, and I am extremely lucky to have those same people as I move into F4.”
And his parting shot is a simple one.
“As long as I can race, I’m happy.”
Amen to that.