Hunter Salvatore on how Formula Ford journey aided performances overseas
Formula Ford frontrunner Hunter Salvatore has taken the next step in his racing career by contesting the F4 Formula Trophy UAE series in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Salvatore was immediately on the pace as demonstrated when he scored a podium on debut and credited Formula Ford for providing the perfect introduction for his circuit racing career.
The F4 Formula Trophy UAE is a series used by young drivers to kick off their journey to Formula 1 as an introduction to open-wheel racing, with 18-year-old Salvatore finishing sixth.
For Salvatore, the skills he had learnt during his season in Formula Ford set him up for a successful competitive debut overseas.
“We were advised to race Formula Ford because that’s where you developed your skills to go further,” said Salvatore.
“We were deciding what category was more bang for your buck, so to prepare for the F4 Formula Trophy UAE we chose to race Formula Ford.
“It has really helped because when driving a Formula Ford you have to think about it a lot more due to having a clutch and H-Pattern compared to a sequential paddle shift gearbox in the Formula 4.
“The Formula Ford prepared me well due to its ability to move around courtesy of a lack of aero and grooved tyres, which improved my car control considerably.
“The set-up changes I did in Formula Ford translated to Formula 4, which helped a lot. Yes, you can change the wing settings in Formula 4, but everything else is very similar or the same.
“When I jumped into the Formula 4, I was immediately on the pace thanks to running in Formula Ford.”
Formula Ford also developed Salvatore’s racecraft compared to his prior karting experience and gave the perfect foundation for when he took the opportunity to race overseas.
“I think my racecraft has come a long way this year, because the jump from karts to circuit racing is very different because a lot more happens in the latter,” Salvatore reflected.
“In karts, the racing is very quick, so there’s a bit more aggression, but in a car you can’t afford to do that as it’s a lot easier to have a shunt.
“My racecraft definitely evolved through Formula Ford as all the tips and tricks definitely helped me in the UAE.
Salvatore aims to go as far up the formula ladder as he can and is targeting a trip to Macau to take on the legendary Guia Circuit as he pursues a career in GT racing as his ultimate goal.
However, those first steps in Formula Ford will remain with Salvatore throughout his career and he is thankful to have used the category as his circuit racing foundation.
“It doesn’t matter what category you want to get to, Formula Ford will help and teach you the fundamentals of racing,” Salvatore concluded.
