Motor racing in his DNA: ADAC Formula 4 champion Jonny Edgar in profile
Jonny Edgar acknowledged the most important success of his career to date without any great show of emotion. Even his team had to ask him to come out of his shell a little after his terrific charge up the field in the final ADAC Formula 4 race of the season at Oschersleben. But 16-year-old Edgar is not one to broadcast his feelings, preferring to keep his emotions to himself, and this detachment characterised the Van Amersfoort driver's season. He was the dominant force initially but suddenly appeared to be the big loser at the weekend, only to hit back with determination and strength in the last race. In an extremely exciting season finale, Edgar managed to catch team-mate Jak Crawford and secure the championship title in the ADAC High-Speed Academy with a two-point lead.
"I am delighted to have won the title. I've led the championship from day one up until yesterday's race," said Edgar after winning the title on Sunday. The weekend prior to that had been a rollercoaster of emotions. Red Bull Junior Edgar travelled to Oschersleben with a 23-point lead but suddenly found himself two points down after the first round. The gap increased to nine points during the weekend's second race, but Edgar felt no pressure. Instead, he approached the last race with the composure of a professional.
"I knew Jak was under more pressure than me," said Edgar, who stormed forwards right from the start to finish second. "He had to keep up with me and couldn't allow any harm to befall him, whereas I, on the other hand, had to take risks come what may." With that, Edgar was actually able to catch Crawford and secure the title that had been on the cards for so long. The British driver clinched no less than six victories during the season after showing his class with two wins during the season-opening weekend.
What followed next was a year that remained tremendous almost throughout. "I tried to drive consistently. The first half of the season was really good, but then I was unlucky a few times," said Edgar, referring to a couple of incidents towards the end of the season. But when the chips were down, Edgar delivered and achieved the greatest success possible. "It's good to have won this formula racing championship," said Edgar. "It's important for my career."
Edgar was born to this career. His family background precluded him from taking any other direction, or so it would seem. Jonny is the fourth generation of his family to become involved with motor racing. His grandfather, father and uncle were all particularly successful in karting. "A total of 13 members of my family have been involved in racing," said Edgar proudly, adding with a chuckle: "Following in their footsteps was inevitable." And so, he began his journey with enormous support from his family. "My father and grandfather used to be my mechanics in the early years," said Edgar.
It all began with the championship in his home region of Cumbria in England, which he won promptly won in 2012. His impressive list of accomplishments quickly earned him a 'Rising Star' award in Cumbria. After several more successful years, Edgar achieved something very special in 2015. 48 years after his grandfather Terry was crowned winner of the Little Green Man championship which is a really famous, veritable karting institution in Great Britain, Edgar Junior achieved the same feat.
Edgar competed in international karting for the first time in 2017, winning several junior races, including the season-opening round of the German Kart Championship at Ampfing and by the end of the year, had even won the Junior title in the European Championship. Edgar has particularly fond memories of that title success. "My best race of 2017 was when I won the title in the fourth race at Alaharma in Finland," he told us. "It was a tough race on a track with not very many overtaking opportunities." As a reward for his strong performance, Edgar was made a member of the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team at the end of 2017.
Edgar switched from karting to open-wheel racing in 2019. Aged 15, Edgar contested a full season in the Italian Formula 4 where he finished as third-best Rookie with Swiss outfit, Jenzer Motorsport. Edgar was also a guest entrant at two race meetings in the ADAC Formula 4 last year. His move to Van Amersfoort Racing and subsequent full-time involvement in the ADAC High-Speed Academy in 2020 turned out to be absolutely the right decision for this enthusiastic mountain-bike rider and runner.
All doors are now open to Edgar after his ADAC Formula 4 title win, plus, he is also receiving excellent support from Red Bull. He has already had his first test outings in a Formula 3 car. "But nothing has been confirmed yet," said Edgar. "Red Bull also want to have their say with that. Formula 3 would be great, but every step up is important." And will Edgar's emotions perhaps step up a gear too?