GB3’s packed grid of international talent is off to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium this weekend (22-24 July), for the championship’s annual visit to the Ardennes.
Hitech GP’s Luke Browning heads the 22-car field to Belgium, with an 11-point margin over Fortec’s Joel Granfors, as the field begins the second half of the season. Browning returned to winning ways last time out at Snetterton, his first victory for a couple of months, which fired him back into the championship lead.
Granfors will no doubt push him hard, with the Swedish driver having the best qualifying average in the field so far, and has also led the championship this season.
The new Tatuus MSV-022 car has delivered big reductions in lap time so far this season, and at the longest circuit of the year, it could be that times are three or even four seconds quicker per lap than in 2021.
For many drivers on the grid, this will be their first time at Spa but Carlin’s Roberto Faria is a race-winner at the circuit, having triumphed when the series was known as British F3 last year. He’s taken three second place finishes so far in 2022, so another win is surely on the way.
Douglas Motorsport’s Max Esterson is one of only a handful of drivers to have driven Spa in the new Tatuus MSV-022 car, but that was back in a chilly pre-season test, where conditions were somewhat different to the current European heatwave! He’s hoping to add to his Donington Park victory scored a few weeks ago.
Carlin’s Callum Voisin is a double winner so far this season, and his pace is ever-improving as proven by taking pole position last time out at Snetterton. He is another yet to race at Spa, unlike Elite’s Tom Lebbon who took a best finish of fourth at the Belgian Grand Prix venue last year.
The remaining top-10 contenders; JHR’s Matthew Rees, Elite’s John Bennett, Arden’s Alex Connor and Chris Dittmann Racing’s McKenzy Cresswell are all gearing up for Spa debuts, as is Bennett’s teammate James Hedley who claimed his first GB3 podium at Snetterton.
Carlin’s Javier Sagrera recorded two top-eight finishes in British F3 at Spa last year, and after a breakthrough podium at Snetterton, could be one to watch this weekend, while CDR’s Branden Oxley has experience of the venue from his Spanish F4 days.
Hitech’s Bryce Aron and Fortec’s Mikkel Grundtvig are the other contenders to have Spa race experience, with the Danish contender having been a part of Fortec’s 1-2-3 podium lockout last year.
Grundtvig’s teammate Zak Taylor has been edging closer to a podium finish, while Douglas Motorsport’s Tommy Smith has stood on the rostrum at Oulton Park.
Hillspeed’s Nick Gilkes, another podium finisher showed much improved pace at Snetterton and will aim to carry that onto the continent, while Hitech’s Cian Shields beat Gilkes to victory at Silverstone and will hope for another top step on his Spa debut.
Marcos Flack took his first podium of the season at Snetterton for Douglas Motorsport, while Arden’s North American duo David Morales and Nico Christodoulou will hope to continue their strong progress so far.
GB3 races three times at Spa this weekend, with a slightly revised event schedule. Three 45-minute practice sessions on Friday will lead up to qualifying at 16.35 local time (15.35 UK time). The first two races of the weekend will take place on Saturday with the first due off at 14.50 and the second at the very late time of 19.50. Race three, the epic reverse grid contest will commence at 11.35 on Sunday. Live streaming will be available for all three races, and shown on the GB3 Championship website, Facebook page and MSV TV YouTube channel. The full schedule is shown below.
GB3 Championship, Spa-Francorchamps event schedule:
FRIDAY 22 JULY
09.00-09.45 (08.00 UK time) – Test one
10.35-11.20 – Test two
12.40-13.25 – Test three
16.35-17.00 – Qualifying
SATURDAY 23 JULY
14.50 – Race one
19.50 – Race two
SUNDAY 24 JULY
11.35 – Race three