Cole Hewetson: The Underrated South African British F4 Driver
- therookiereporters
- Dec 22, 2025
- 3 min read
South African driver Cole Hewetson is one of the most underrated names in F4, but his steady improvements are starting to show just how much potential he really has.
In junior single-seater racing, where attention often gravitates toward academy backed drivers, it’s easy for quieter talents to slip under the radar. Yet every so often, a driver emerges who proves that potential isn’t always defined by headlines and Cole Hewetson is one of them.
The young South African racer has entered the international F4 scene with far less hype than some of his competitors, but with each race, he’s steadily building a reputation as a driver with genuine speed and long term promise.
A Late Start, but Rapid Progress
Unlike many drivers who begin karting at ages 6-7, Hewetson started racing at age 12, a comparatively late entry in the motorsport world, yet the timeline of his development tells a different story.
He progressed quickly through South African karting championships, scoring strong results in major national events before testing himself against European competition. Despite limited experience compared to his rivals overseas, Hewetson adapted impressively, demonstrating maturity beyond his years.
His rapid rise from a late start to competitive international racing is a testament to two things such as natural ability and determination.
Stepping Into Formula 4
Hewetson’s move into Formula 4 marked the beginning of a new chapter. Competing with Xcel Motorsport in the British F4 Championship, one of the most competitive F4 series in the world, he has taken on a steep learning curve with confidence.
To add to his development, he also raced in the F4 Middle East series, gaining valuable track time and experience. There, he showed glimpses of the talent he carries. He has a strong race pace, calm racecraft, and he even holds a podium finish against a competitive international field. For a first year driver adjusting from karts to cars, that’s no small achievement.
What stands out most is his adaptability. Whether it’s unfamiliar circuits, new race environments, or aggressive wheel to wheel battles. Hewetson approaches each challenge with composure and steady improvement.
Why He Remains Underrated
In junior motorsport, attention often follows big names, drivers linked to Formula 1 teams and those backed by major sponsors, or those with long established reputations from childhood karting. Hewetson doesn’t fit into those categories and that’s exactly why he tends to be overlooked.
He isn’t surrounded by hype, he doesn’t come from a well known European program, and he’s not the most high profile personality in the paddock, but what he does have are the qualities that matter more in the long run:
Raw pace and natural car control
A quick learning curve
Consistency under pressure
Steady progress every time he races
Confidence without arrogance
These are the traits that often define the drivers who rise quietly, then suddenly explode onto the scene.
A Driver With Genuine Potential
Hewetson’s strength lies not only in his laps, but in how he approaches his career. He works orderly with his engineers, seeks out extra experience, and races with a maturity that’s rare at his age.
His improvement throughout each series, his contested hints at an exciting future. If he continues at this rate, gaining podiums, sharpening his racecraft, and building confidence, he has the potential to become one of the standout names of his generation.
He may not be the most publicised driver in the paddock, but motorsport has a long history of rewarding those who outwork and outperform expectations.
The Road Ahead
With a full season of F4 ahead of him and increasing international experience, the next steps in Hewetson’s journey will be crucial. More track time will help convert his pace into consistent results, and his calm, disciplined approach suggests that he’s more than capable of doing that.
For now, Cole Hewetson remains one of the underrated young drivers in F4, but if he continues like this, it’s only a matter of time before the wider motorsport world starts paying attention.
Article written by Mia Erasmus ©️ Mia Erasmus 2025
