JHR Developments has confirmed that multiple F4 race-winner Joseph Loake will step up to the GB3 Championship with the team for the 2023 season, becoming the second of three drivers to be confirmed at the Derbyshire squad.
The 17-year-old from Macclesfield joined JHR ahead of the 2021 season, having dominated the Fiesta Junior Championship, winning five of the final six races in the 2019 campaign and claiming eight wins from eight contests in 2020 as he became the series champion.
In his first season of single-seater competition, he scored three overall wins and had two further podium finishes in the F4 British Championship. He went even better in 2022, with four victories and five further podium finishes to his name, as well as taking part in the F4 UAE Championship, further boosting his knowledge and experience.
In addition to racing with the team, Joseph has also assisted during post-season testing, helping new drivers understand F4 machinery, as well as undertaking his own miles behind the wheel of the GB3 Championship car, in preparation for this season.
The teenager will have several new circuits and layouts to get to grips with during 2023, with rounds on the full Oulton Park, Donington Park, and Silverstone configurations, as well as visits to Spa-Francorchamps and Zandvoort in Europe.
Joseph Loake said: “I’m looking forward to the start of the season. It should be good coming off the back of a strong end to our F4 campaign, as we started on the back foot and came good in the second half of the year. It was a positive way to end it, so hopefully we’ll be fighting for the championship.
“There are some new tracks to learn but I love a good challenge. We did a couple of days of testing at Spa in November in the GB3 car and it was very positive. I’m really looking forward to Zandvoort and I’ve heard a lot of good things about it as I enjoy high speed corners and with the high downforce nature of the GB3 car, I think it will be a lot of fun.
“I’m in the gym six days a week preparing for the season as the cars are a step on from F4 as there’s a lot more downforce and power. The F4 car was quite unusual to drive, and it didn’t really suit my style, but I felt really comfortable the first time I jumped in the GB3 car, and the speed is there.
“I can’t wait to work with Matt [Rees] again as I missed him last year. We’re polar opposites in terms of our driving but we can learn from each other as a consequence, so it should be a very productive relationship.”
Team Principal Steven Hunter said: “We’re very happy that Joseph will continue to race with us in 2023, making the step up to the GB3 Championship. He joined us with plenty of raw talent having had that brilliant run in Fiestas and quickly adapted his driving style to suit single-seater racing in F4 and learned last year’s new car as well.
“With plenty of victories and podium success it would be no surprise to see him quickly at the front of the field in GB3 and we’ll be working hard to ensure Joseph and his team-mates are in the best place to succeed throughout the season.”
09 February 2023
