Martin Molnar is the 2024 ROKiT F4 British Championship Rookie Cup Champion, having won the title in the final race of the season.
The Rookie Cup battle was undecided going into the Brands Hatch finale, but the odds were in the Virtuosi Racing driver’s favour after a strong weekend at Silverstone that moved him to the top of the rookie table with a 2.5-point advantage.
Throughout Martin's first full season in single-seaters, he displayed remarkable consistency and maturity, standing out among a talented field of rookies as he adapted to the demands of British F4’s challenging 30-race calendar, the F4 car, and unfamiliar circuits, improving every round, holding his ground against seasoned racers, and consistently delivering strong results.
Martin outperformed his closest rival in the final round to cap off an impressive first British F4 campaign with 5 podiums, 7 rookie wins, 22 rookie podiums, and the 2024 Rookie Cup title.
Martin Molnar’s breakthrough year not only secured him the Rookie Cup title, but also earned him the first-ever Jake Cook Memorial Award.
Introduced in 2024 and voted on by the Team Managers of the British F4 paddock, the award celebrates a driver’s progress, determination, and sportsmanship—qualities Martin displayed throughout the season.
Jake Cook, a respected racer and familiar face in the F4 paddock, tragically passed away in 2023. His namesake award was established to keep his name alive in motorsport and to inspire young drivers, just as Jake did as an Academy coach.
The inaugural award was presented by Jake’s wife, British F4 Championship Manager Eve Lake-Grange, in a touching ceremony.
Eve - “I am delighted to present this award, created in Jake’s name and memory, to Martin. He is a very worthy winner, and I am so grateful that their traits have been recognised by the experienced eyes of our British F4 Team Managers.
“I also wanted to use the award creation to shine a light on mental health; my family have been impacted by mental health this past year, not just through Jake, however as a consequence I also had to take some time away earlier in the year to be treated. I am not ashamed of these struggles, and I encourage everyone to keep talking, and remember it is OK to not be OK.
“Jake’s Award is not just a trophy, however with the winner awarded a cheque for £500 that our family will be matching with a £500 donation to the Mind Charity; it’s a charity very close to my heart, who work hard to ensure that everyone experiencing a mental health problem, gets the support and respect that they deserve.
“Jake was many things to us, a husband, father, son, however he was also a racing driver. I am delighted that Martin is recognised today by some of the most experienced personnel in the paddock and really highlighted as a driver to watch for the future.”
The Virtuosi Racing team are immensely proud to have fielded the first driver to receive this special honour and are exceptionally proud of Martin’s performance throughout 2024.
The Norfolk-based team, known for nurturing young talent right up to the pinnacle of motorsport, found a rising star in Martin. His Rookie Cup victory and Jake Cook Memorial Award win join the team’s many successes and underscore their commitment to developing the next generation of racing talent.
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