Formula Four arrives at Brands Hatch in May and its line-up now boasts a former Formula One World Champion’s grandson.

Emmerson Fittipaldi’s grandson Pietro who is just 16 years old will be racing in the 2013 season here in Great Britain.

The racing series is run by Jonathan Palmer, the owner of MSVR and Kent’s very own premier race track Brands Hatch.

Speaking about attracting such a promising young talent series director Palmer, said: “I am delighted that Pietro has chosen to race in our BRDC F4 championship as he starts his single seater career. Pietro has clearly made a big impact with his NASCAR racing and I’ve no doubt will adapt very quickly to single seaters, especially following his karting success. Of course it is wonderful to have the Fittipaldi name back racing at Brands Hatch, Snetterton and Oulton Park and it will be great if Emerson can make it to any of our BRDC F4 events during the season.”

The series is seen as a cost effective and competitive Formula to launch the next generation of Formula One drivers.

The good news for British fans is that there are a whole host of talented young British Drivers confirmed as lining up on the grid when the season gets underway at Silverstone on the final weekend of April.

For a young driver Fittipaldi has a good racing pedigree and will be tough competition for all those who line-up on the grid alongside him.

Speaking about his choice to pick Formula Four as the race series to make his British debut, he said: ““I’m very excited about joining the F4 series and of course competing in the UK. This will be my first time racing single seaters after several seasons in NASCAR so I have a lot to learn as well as many new tracks, but I am confident that with the MGR team behind me we can be competitive.”

He will race for Leicestershire based Mark Goodwin Racing alongside Mexican Diego Menchaca and Britain Jake Dalton.

Talking about the latest driver to join his 2013 line-up Team Principal Mark Goodwin, said: ““We’re absolutely delighted to have Pietro onboard for 2013 and to complete our line-up for the inaugural season which is looking very strong. As you’d expect coming from such a legendary motorsport heritage, Pietro is a very special driver and I have no doubt he’s going to be a front runner from the off. His signing is also a great testament to the BRDC F4 Championship and what an attractive package it is to drivers wishing to start on the path to F1.”

Formula Four will support the DTM race weekend at Brands Hatch on 18/19 May and they will be back at Brands Hatch on the 27/28 July on the GP circuit as a standalone event.