Multiple GB3 race-winner Gerrard Xie will step up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship next year, staying with the Hitech GP squad which has nurtured his career across the past few seasons.
The Chinese driver, from Shenzhen, born in Hong Kong, has just completed his second season of GB3 competition, in which pole position and victory at the Hungaroring, and further podiums at Spa, Silverstone and Donington Park, were among the highlights of his second season racing in the series. In total, he racked up points finishes in 15 of the 24 races over eight rounds.
In one of the series’ most fiercely contested seasons, Gerrard consistently demonstrated the skill, determination and bravery that have characterised his progression from third place in the 2020 IAME Asia Cup – Junior, to Champion in both the 2022 Formula Renault Super Challenge and the F4 Chinese Championship, and Vice-Champion in the Macau Grand Prix that same year.
Gerrard Xie commented: “I’m thrilled to be making the step up to FIA Formula 3, and to be doing so with Hitech. It’s been a strong season for me and the team in GB3 and I’m proud of everything we achieved together. The results were there but we also had a bit of bad luck along the way that could have brought us even greater success in both title fights.
“I feel ready and I hope to play a big part in ensuring Hitech’s F3 challenge is as strong as it was this season.”
Hitech GP’s Formula 3 Team Manager, Paul Bellringer, commented: “It is always exciting and rewarding for us to see one of our young drivers progressing through the ranks with Hitech.
“Gerrard has been ‘there’ throughout the GB3 Championship season. As well as his impressive victory and podium finishes, he has consistently been in the hunt for many more podiums, and racked up the strong points finishes that secured him seventh in the Drivers’ title and contributed so much to Hitech securing the runner-up spot in the Teams’ battle.
“Gerrard is ready for Formula 3. I’m confident he will be a significant force within our line-up for next season and we’ll be able to fight for both Championship titles once again.”