In a thrilling final weekend at the iconic Monza circuit, Australian racing driver James Wharton concluded his season in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine with two impressive podium finishes. Securing third place in both races, Wharton clinched the runner-up position in the drivers' standings—a significant achievement after a challenging start to the year.
After a rough start to the season, where inexperience led to "one-too-many mistakes," Wharton managed to regroup and turn his championship around, collecting four wins and eight podiums in the last eleven races. His noticeable development combined raw speed with a newfound maturity and a strategic approach, resulting in the consistency needed to climb the standings.
The season finale at Monza also marked the end of Wharton’s journey with Prema Racing, a team with which he has shared a strong and successful three-year partnership. During his time with the Italian team, Wharton greatly developed as a driver and celebrated unforgettable moments. This collaboration has been instrumental in shaping his journey, leaving a legacy of mutual respect and shared achievements.
Wharton expressed his gratitude for his years with Prema, saying: "This weekend has been good with two podium finishes, and overall, I’m really happy with being the vice-champion. That's the main takeaway. I can't thank the team enough; we really had a strong comeback and an amazing end to the year. It’s been quite a journey, and I know I’ll carry its legacy with me for a very long time."
As Wharton prepares for the next chapter in his career, the achievements alongside Prema Racing go down in the books—namely, becoming Vice-Champion of both the 2023 Euro4 and 2024 FRECA.
With the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship season now complete, fans and followers can anticipate Wharton’s return to the track in less than a month, at the 2024 Macau Grand Prix on November 17th.