ALTON, Va. — Gastón Irazú completed the weekend sweep at Virginia International Raceway to lock in the 2026 Driver Championship in Formula 4 United States Championship competition on Sunday afternoon.
By winning the title, the Uruguayan also receives the Champion’s Scholarship to move up to Formula Regional Americas Championship next season, providing him with a chassis and engine lease, as well as race tires and entry fees in a combined effort from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Tire and Racing America.
With an 86-point lead in the F4 U.S. standings, Gastón Irazú is guaranteed the 2026 driver championship title. As part of his prize, the Uruguayan will also receive the Champion’s Scholarship, which will provide him with support from Ligier Automotive, Hankook Tire and Racing America to move to FR Americas in 2027.
Irazú was the Driver Champion in Ligier JFC last season and took advantage of the Champion’s Scholarship to compete in F4 U.S. this year.
Caleb Campbell returned to the podium for the first time since Round 8 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in June. Taking second in Race 2, Campbell recorded his eighth top-three finish.
Clemente Huerta Raab scored his fourth podium since rejoining Kiwi Motorsport ahead of Round 9 last month.
Three nations were represented on the Race 2 podium with Gastón Irazú taking the checkered flag for Uruguay, Caleb Campbell finishing second for Canada and Clemente Huerta Raab finishing third for Chile.
Polesitter Clemente Huerta Raab (No. 17 Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) and Cole Medeiros (No. 77 Firano Motorsports / MLT Motorsports Ligier JS F422) occupied the front row that led the field to the green flag. While Huerta Raab pulled out to an early lead, fourth-place starter Irazú (No. 27 Elia Group / Baly / Canal 4 / Ancap / Champagne Racing Ligier JS F422) dropped back to fifth, watching his competition race two- and three-wide to sort out their running order.
Medeiros won the three-wide battle coming into VIR’s “rollercoaster” to lead the first lap. Zach Fourie (No. 15 Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) pulled up to challenge Medeiros the next lap, but went off the circuit at the top of the esses, giving Caleb Campbell (No. 68 Steele Auto Group / Kiwi Motorsport Ligier JS F422) the race lead.
While his competition used up their Hankook rubber jockeying for position, Irazú stayed calm, steadily climbing toward the front as the others got shuffled out of position. Barely six minutes had transpired on the clock before Irazú pulled wheel to wheel with Campbell as they raced toward Turn 1 and emerged from the corner with the lead.
Irazú pulled ahead while the fight for the runner-up position continued between Campbell, Medeiros and Huerta Raab. Going over the curbing in Turn 12, Medeiros slid off the circuit and made contact with the tire barrier, requiring safety crews to free his car.
With the field regrouped for a restart, Irazú was challenged by Campbell in Turn 1, but he held him off and turned his attention forward. Irazú, Campbell and Huerta Raab broke away from the field. Hitting their marks as the minutes ticked down, the three followed nose to tail all the way to the checkered flag where Irazú was the first to cross the line, followed by Kiwi Motorsport teammates Campbell and Huerta Raab.
“This feels great,” said Irazú after climbing from the car. “We had a great race with Caleb [Campbell], Clemente [Huerta Raab] and all the guys—and we were able to win again. I’m really happy with my team. They worked hard all year and I’m really happy that we got the championship.”
When asked what it means to represent Uruguay while racing in the United States, Irazú added, “I’m really happy to be able to represent my country at this level. To be able to be the champion and put it at the top of everything. I’m really grateful for this year. I hope next year, with the FR Americas scholarship, that I can race here in the United States again. Let’s give it our all.”
