Moving from karts into a single-seater is a big step: more speed, more downforce, gears, and much more to learn about setup and tyres. The junior categories are designed as a ladder, so the right first car depends on your experience, age and budget.
The categories in short
- Formula Ford: a classic first single-seater with no wings. Great for learning car control and racecraft, and often the most affordable way to start.
- F4: the FIA's entry level for single-seaters, raced in the UK and in several European championships. Wings and slick tyres, and a common first step out of karts for young drivers.
- GB4: a British entry-level championship, also a first step from karting.
- GB3: faster, with more downforce, usually for drivers with a season or more in F4 or GB4.
- Formula Regional: the FIA's regional level, between F4 and FIA Formula 3, for experienced junior drivers.
Which one first?
For most drivers coming straight from karts, the first season is in F4, GB4 or Formula Ford. GB3 and Formula Regional usually come after at least one season in cars. Things to weigh up:
- Your experience. How many seasons of karting, and at what level?
- Age and licence. Each championship sets a minimum age and licence grade. Check the current rules (see our licences guide).
- Budget. Car, tyres, engines, team, entry fees and testing all add up. Look at a whole season, not just the race weekends. Our testing ladder shows indicative test-day budgets for each step.
- Where you want to go. If you're aiming for international single-seaters, choose a route with a clear next step.
Test before you choose
The best way to choose is to drive. A test day in each candidate car shows how quickly you adapt, what the car asks of you, and how you get on with the team. Your data from those days is also what teams look at.
With Karat you can test at each step with the car, tyres, an engineer and a mechanic included, and compare your data afterwards. See the days on sale, or request a quote for back-to-back tests in two cars.
Next steps
- New to testing? Read what a test day involves.
- Still in karts? See how to start racing in the UK.