The Arden Motorsport GB3 team will run under the Arden VRD banner in 2023, after further strengthening ties with the USA-based VRD Racing operation.
The two companies initially joined forces midway through the 2022 season, with the arrangement allowing VRD’s Canadian driver Nico Christodoulou to race in GB3 with Arden, while the Banbury-based team’s Formula Regional contender Alex Quinn went the other way and competed with VRD in USF2000.
Arden, founded by Garry and Christian Horner, is a renowned European single-seater powerhouse courtesy of successful F3000, FIA F2, GP3, Formula Renault, Formula Regional and F4 campaigns in addition to GB3 over the past 25 years, while VRD, headed by Briton Dan Mitchell, has taken multiple titles in FIA-sanctioned F4 and Formula Regional Americas categories in the USA.
The collaboration will step up another level in 2023, with opportunities for VRD’s USA-based drivers to sample GB3 machinery and for Arden’s roster to explore options in the States, opening up significant career opportunities for young drivers in both teams.
A number of VRD’s drivers have already driven Arden’s GB3 cars in winter testing, with Noah Ping and Nikita Johnson among those to have tested the Tatuus-MSV 022 at European circuits, including the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, in recent weeks.
In addition to driver development opportunities, the collaboration between Arden and VRD will allow both teams to expand their international reach, with potential for staff from both squads to broaden their experience in both the USA and the UK racing scenes.
As part of the arrangement, Arden VRD’s GB3 cars will run with a revised livery, while the new logo will appear on race team kit, garage areas and on other key areas of the squad’s set up. The team’s first driver for the 2023 season will be confirmed later this week.
Arden Motorsport’s Jack Woodhouse said: "2022 saw the start of a promising relationship which provided drivers experience in championships both sides of the Atlantic. We are delighted to continue and strengthen Arden’s link with VRD in the GB3 championship for 2023. The GB3 calendar is stronger than ever - with visits to Spa, Zandvoort and Silverstone giving drivers fantastic track time on current F1 circuits."
VRD Racing's Dan Mitchell said: "After 2022 I feel very confident in the job Arden can do combined with our efforts from the USA I feel this is the perfect recipe for success."
"It’s the perfect platform for our young American talent to showcase their skill and hopefully further them in Europe. GB3 is super competitive and is a championship VRD are proud to be part of alongside Arden."
17 January 2023
