Son of F1 race winner Montoya joins Prema in F4

Sebastian Montoya, the son of seven-time Formula 1 grand prix winner and double Indy 500 champion Juan Pablo, will step up to Formula 4 with Prema in 2020.

The 14-year-old Columbian will make his single-seater debut in Formula 4, combining a full campaign in the Italian F4 championship alongside selected race outings in the German ADAC series across the year.

Montoya started karting at the age of 8 in the USA and most recently contested the OK class ranks in Europe throughout 2019.

Prema said that Montoya quickly adapted to its F4 car and impressed the team with a “remarkable job” during his maiden tests ahead of the announcement.

“We are delighted to welcome Sebastian to the team,” Prema team principal Angelo Rosin said.

“He is a great addition to our line-up and is already experiencing a positive transition to single seaters.

“For him, this will be a learning year but by what we have seen so far, he can quickly become a leading contender. We cannot wait to get the season started.

“It will be exciting to work with so many talented young drivers.”

Montoya is the fourth signing Prema has made and completes the Italian single-seater powerhouse’s F4 driver line-up for 2020. He joins Sweden’s Dino Beganovic, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto and Italian Gabriele Mini at the team.

“I am very excited to start racing cars and to have the opportunity to race F4 in 2020 with such a great team,” Montoya added.

“Prema is a top team and has all the equipment and people to help me learn and grow as a driver. The competition will be tough but it is better because it will make me challenge myself on and off track.”