FIA Super License Points Awarded to Seven Drivers; Kirkwood, Pedersen and Reger Recognized as F4 U.S. FIA Championship Winners

 At the end of each Formula 4 United States Championship Powered By Honda season, the top-seven drivers entered in the championship points reserve are presented FIA Super License and FIA championship points to aid in their racing career advancement to Formula 1.

In 2017, Kyle Kirkwood of Jupiter, Florida, Benjamin Pedersen of Copenhagen, Denmark, Timo Reger of Houston, Brendon Leitch of Invercargill, New Zealand, Skylar Robinson of Augusta, Georgia, Jacob Loomis of Corinth, Texas, and Justin Sirgany of Kingston, Jamaica, were awarded points as follows:

 

Driver

Kirkwood

Pedersen

Reger

Leitch

Robinson

Loomis

Sirgany

Place

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Points

12

10

7

5

3

2

1

 

Kirkwood, Pedersen and Reger were also recognized as the winners of the F4 U.S. FIA Championship.

Kirkwood, who earned seven Super License points last season, is nearly halfway to earning his Super License. Kirkwood placed first in SCCA Pro national and FIA championship points in his sophomore season of F4. 

“My ultimate goal is to run F1 in a Honda. I’ve been powered by Honda since I was seven, winning multiple national titles. I would like to continue with that brand loyalty as my career develops,” Kirkwood said. “By running in F4 U.S., I’ve also been able to earn Super License points domestically, which kept me close to my family and allowed me to finish my senior year at home while still allowing me to take the necessary steps to my goal of competing in F1.”

After an incredible drive, winning three of the last five races during the last two Circuit of the Americas events, Pedersen gained massive championship points which boosted the Global Racing Group pilot to claim second in the F4 U.S. FIA championship.

“Finishing second in championship points in the F4 U.S. Championship was amazing. As a team we worked really hard both on and off the track to consistently finish with points. We ended the season scoring three wins, four poles and six podiums,” said Pedersen. “I truly learned a lot from a driving perspective and that is the goal for the whole series- to make a smooth transition from karting to formula cars. I can’t wait for what 2018 brings.”

Reger’s outstanding performance in the first half of the season secured his spot as the only rookie competitor in the top-three to earn Super License points and third in championship points.

“Wow what a year! Racing with JDX Racing in F4 U.S, has been an exciting journey that has left me with much more experience and race craft understanding,” Reger said. This season had teachable moments each weekend. With four podiums and two wins, I had decent success, but some issues and mishaps toward the end of the season, affected me in the points standings. Unfortunately, due to certain circumstances, I was unable to compete in the finale at COTA, but I still attended the weekend to support my team. At the end, I came away seventh in the national standings and third in FIA championship standings which gave me valuable Super license points. This season wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous effort by the JDX guys who put in the countless hours to put me in the best possible car. Also, a big thanks to Honda, SCCA and all the series sponsors who made this possible. I can’t wait to see what next year brings.”

In order to secure a Super License to move into F1, a driver must score at least 40 points over a three-year period plus achieve at least 190 miles of testing in an F1 car. The F4 U.S. Championship is the only junior racing series in the United States to offer its competitors Super License points through 2017. F4 U.S. championship points are awarded to those drivers who registered to also earn Super License and FIA points at the beginning of the season; not all 2018 F4 U.S. drivers were entered in the championship prize reserve. The drivers not entered in the FIA championship, earned SCCA Pro national points.