Hillspeed has confirmed a fresh driver line-up for its 2023 GB3 Championship campaign, with Chinese F4 champion Gerrard Xie and British F4 graduate Daniel Mavlyutov.
The Markham Vale team concluded last year in winning ways with victory in the final race of the GB3 season at Donington Park. Macau GP runner-up Xie and F4 contender Mavlyutov have linked-up with Richard Ollerenshaw’s squad through the Hitech GP Academy, the latter providing each racer with additional simulator and fitness training in an exciting tie-up between the two organisations.
Hong Kong’s Xie will make his UK circuit debut in GB3 off the back of dominating the F4 Chinese Championship last year. Claiming 12 race victories from 14 starts, Xie ultimately sealed the crown by more than 160 points.
Prior to his car racing debut in 2022, Xie climbed the ranks in karting from the CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy through the IAME Asia series, the IAME Asia Cup – where he was third in the Junior class in 2020 – the FIA Karting European Championship at OK level and the WSK Euro Series.
Mavlyutov made his motor racing debut in the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch in late 2021 before embarking on his first full season of single-seater action last year with Hitech GP in the F4 British Championship – concluding the campaign 15th in the driver standings.
Daniel, who will celebrate his 19th birthday later this month, also contested selected races in Spanish F4 last year and, over the winter, has gained further experience with Hitech GP in Formula Regional Middle East.
Richard Ollerenshaw, Hillspeed Team Principal said: “We’re absolutely delighted to confirm both Gerrard and Daniel as Hillspeed drivers for the new GB3 season, and we’re excited to be embarking on this new relationship with the Hitech GP Academy. It’s a step-up for both drivers, but they each clearly have a lot of promise and I have no doubt they will make excellent progress as the season unfolds.
“As always, we will be providing the very best preparation both on and off track and I’m looking forward to seeing how Gerrard and Daniel develop as drivers. It’s set to be an exciting season and we’re very much looking forward to getting started.”
Gerrard Xie said: “I’m really happy to be joining the GB3 Championhip, it will be a new experience to race on UK circuits but I am really looking forward to it.”
Daniel Mavlyutov said: “In what will be my second full season of racing, I am very happy to have the opportunity to continue my journey with the Hitech GP Academy in 2023 and to join the guys at Hillspeed for my first season in GB3. This new venture will provide me with continuity and a great environment for me to continue gaining experience and progression. The GB3 car is a great car to drive in, what is, a compelling championship.”
13 February 2023
