Australian James Wharton joins Italian Formula 4 with PREMA Racing

Australia karter James Wharton will race for PREMA in the 2022 Italian Formula 4 Championship.

Australia James Wharton will race for PREMA in the 2022 Italian Formula 4 Championship. (PREMA Racing)

Wharton was selected by Motorsport Australia to take part in the 2020 Ferrari Driver Academy Scouting World Finals.

The 15 year-old won the shootout and joined the Ferrari academy.

Wharton will make the jump to open-wheel racing in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, with "additional support events" to complement his 2022 schedule.

"Obviously I am beyond excited for the 2022 season," said Wharton.

"Traditionally Prema has a strong alliance with Ferrari so the decision for us was straight forward."

"I feel I am ready to attack next year and utilise everything I have been developing as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy."

James Wharton will make the jump to open-wheel racing with the PREMA powerhouse. (PREMA Racing)

Team principal Angelo Rosin warmly welcomed Wharton to the team.

"We were really impressed by Wharton's attitude."

"We have already had the chance to see him in action in testing and we are confident that he will be quick right from the start."

"There will be a lot of new things to learn for him, and we want to support him the very best way we can."

"We are looking forward to his debut in 2022."