Chris Dittmann Racing has confirmed that Jacob Douglas will join the team for a pair of GB3 Championship meetings, beginning with this weekend’s event at Silverstone (July 25-28).
The teenager, from Christchurch in New Zealand, has been racing since he was eight years old, and was a four-time New Zealand Karting Champion before turning 15. He made his car racing debut that same year, becoming Rookie Champion in South Island Formula Ford, and took second and third place finishes in a one-off appearance in Formula Pro USA.
Competing in USF2000 in 2022, Jacob quickly adapted, taking three top-fives in the final eight races of the season, and he won the YACademy Winter Series USF Juniors title early the following year. Returning to USF2000, Jacob took two wins and three further podiums en route to sixth in the championship.
With his eyes set on graduating to USF Pro 2000 next year, the 18-year-old has spent time back home working hard off track and won the Bruce McLaren Trophy at the Elite MotorSport Academy, put on by the MotorSport New Zealand Scholarship Trust. He also travelled to the United Kingdom, testing the GB3 Championship car with Chris Dittmann Racing at Silverstone, Donington Park, Brands Hatch and Snetterton.
Showing promising pace, despite some challenging weather conditions, Jacob will return to the UK and continue his development by competing in the upcoming rounds at Silverstone and again at Donington Park in September. The New Zealander will join up with the team’s full-time pairing of Seb Murray and Flynn Jackes.
Jacob Douglas said: “I am really excited to make my European debut in the GB3 Championship with Chris Dittmann Racing at Silverstone. These races will help me continue in my preparation to be ready to return for a full season in USF Pro 2000 in 2025. This year has been a year for development, and my time in the UK will enable me to get experience on new tracks and learn in the hardest environment we can.
“I was very fortunate to head over in May, testing with the team. Learning the next level of downforce is the goal with the GB3 Championship, and really getting a good feel for that style of racing so we can hit the ground running next year, rather than having a year off and not advancing or improving.
“Chris Dittmann Racing is a good team and is great for what we need. We need the laps and the experience. We’re not fighting for the championship, so our focus is on performing as well as possible and getting the most out of the opportunity.”
Team Principal Chris Dittmann said: “We’re looking forward to getting back on track with Jacob as he tackles his first GB3 Championship race weekend with the team. He showed good pace and ability in testing, both in the car and out, so we’ll now be putting it all together in race action for him and helping him to continue to grow and develop as a young driver, which is what the team is all about. It’s good to see he’s been working hard on things back home, so when we head out for testing, he’ll be ready to go.”
25 July 2024
