18-year-old driver Rowan Campbell-Pilling is currently racing in the 2025 Formula 4 (F4) UAE Trophy Series, certified by the FIA, with Xcel Motorsport.
Despite it being winter in the UAE, the air temperature is still over 30 degrees Celsius, and the track temperature is close to 50 degrees Celsius. This is, as you can guess, unheard of in the UK so Rowan, with the support of the team, has had to very quickly adapt to manage the car’s tyres to ensure they last the race distance each time.
Rowan was at the Dubai Autodrome for his first round – and his Middle East debut – where he took two podiums in two 25-minute races. This was after only one day of open testing on the race circuit, which was originally built to host Formula 1.
Before the series officially started, Rowan had chipped away at the timesheets learning the track intricacies, as he was driving, for the first time, on tracks where sand was a huge factor to be aware of.
In the reverse grid race he also took a p10 which meant he scored points in all three races of round 1.
Working with his engineers, and his new team, Rowan has found the pace quickly enough and he’s said that it’s been a wonderful start to the series.
The Middle East series has seen Rowan take a new direction in his motorsport journey and race in completely new territories.
He has completed extensive nutrition, hydration, and physical training, supported by additional simulator work, to ensure he is fully prepared to race in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius.
“I’ve stayed laser focused since the British F4 season ended,” Rowan added. “I’ve spent my autumn training to get in the best condition I can ahead of the new series.”
Rowan looks forward to representing Sheffield, and Yorkshire, again on the world stage as he concludes his F4 2025 campaign, before stepping up to the UK’s premier category, MSV GB3 single seaters, in 2026.
Photo by UAE F4 Trophy Series