Chris Dittmann Racing has confirmed that Arthur Rogeon will join the team in the GB3 Championship for the next two seasons. The talented young French racer will commence his maiden car racing campaign during the opening round at Oulton Park in three months’ time.
The 16-year-old began his karting career in 2017, placing third in the Coupe de France Cadet FFSA during an impressive debut season. He continued to compete in France and across Europe in the following years, most recently appearing in the FIA Karting World Championship in Italy in 2022.
Having experienced his first taste of single-seaters during post-season testing with Chris Dittmann Racing, the teenager impressed with how quickly he found his feet in the Tatuus MSV-022 GB3 car.
The young rookie will benefit from the team’s state-of-the-art simulator and driver development programme to refine his race craft throughout his debut campaign in the championship, with the hopes of competing at the sharp end of the grid as the season continues.
Having signed a two-season deal with the Gloucestershire outfit, Arthur will look to build on the foundations of a learning year by commencing a full championship attack in 2024.
With aspirations of reaching the highest level of motorsport in his future, the Le Mans local will be working tirelessly with the team to prepare for the season ahead where the youngster will be tackling some of the toughest circuits in the UK and Europe.
Arthur Rogeon said: “I started karting in 2017 and have been racing ever since. Last year I took part in the European and World Karting Championships, so I wanted to make the jump into single seaters for 2023.
“The pre-season testing I did with the team was my first time out of a kart, so we started with two days in the F4 car and made a lot of improvements. We then decided it was the best option to do a two-year programme in GB3 as it allows for lots of learning throughout the season, with hopes of fighting for the championship in 2024.
“I improved quickly in the car, but I still have a lot more to learn, but it was great working with the team during testing as everyone was very easy to work with and it felt like a big family. I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone better and improving with them.
“My ultimate goal is to be a professional driver. Formula 1 is every racer's dream, but any category that can allow me to race professionally is something I’m open to. The GB3 Championship is a great first step onto the single-seater ladder, so I’m excited to start that journey with Chris Dittmann Racing.”
Team Owner Chris Dittmann said: “We set up some testing at the end of last year with Arthur in the GB3 car, but we also managed a few days in the F4 car before that, which helped to get him up to speed with some of the circuits and get familiar with the team. He's only done a handful of days in the GB3 car, but every time he went out, he improved massively. It's a big jump from karting but he's taken on the challenge really well.
“We see a lot of potential in Arthur, so it's a case of putting everything into practice and helping him develop as quickly as he can. Luckily, driver development is what we specialise in. We know that GB3 is always a very strong championship, so it will be a tough year with a lot to learn for him, but we hope that by mid-season we can be within the top ten.
“The focus is on doing a two-year programme with 2024 being the year we fight for the championship together. He wants to learn as much as he can in the new car and on unfamiliar circuits, so that will be the aim for this season. We're all confident in his ability, and he's more than ready for the challenge.”
18 January 2023
