The GB3 Championship heads to the Hungaroring for the first time in the series’ history this weekend (22-23 June), with a pack of 21 drivers all looking to impress as GB3’s international tour continues at what is likely to be the hottest event of the year.
Polish driver Tymek Kucharczyk heads the field to Hungary, having won twice last time out at Spa-Francorchamps to steal the championship lead. On what could be considered his home circuit this year, the rising star is out to claim his fourth victory and extend his lead.
Teammate Will Macintyre has also won three races this season, with Hitech Pulse-Eight on a streak of six successive wins, and with an enviable record on international circuits, it can be assumed the duo will be challenging towards the front again.
Rodin Motorsport’s Louis Sharp is out to avenge the loss of his championship lead after his first DNF of the year in race three at Spa. The young New Zealander is still only 13 points off the summit though, and enjoyed two podiums of his own in Belgium.
John Bennett leads JHR’s charge heading to Hungary, after two second places and a pole at Spa, but was another to suffer retirement in the final contest, so he’ll be aiming to fight back this weekend.
Elite Motorsport’s McKenzy Cresswell and Hitech’s Gerrard Xie are next up, with both earning silverware this year, but chasing that elusive first win of the campaign.
Cresswell’s teammate Jarrod Waberski continues to make progress in his second GB3 effort, with Rodin’s Arthur Rogeon sitting ninth after consistent showings that have been unrewarded due to poor luck.
The third Elite car of Hugo Schwarze completes the championship top-10 heading into the event, and showed perhaps his best pace of the year so far at Spa.
Colin Queen is the lead Fortec runner at present, sitting just outside the top-10, but showing well in his graduation year out of GB4, and ahead of a resurgent Noah Ping, with the VRD Racing by Arden contender taking a first 2024 podium in Spa race three.
Aussie Patrick Heuzenroeder is next up for JHR, and another eyeing a change of fortune. He’s four points clear of Fortec’s sophomore challenger Edward Pearson, with GB4 graduates Seb Murray and Josh Irfan close behind for Chris Dittmann Racing and JHR respectively.
Race winner James Hedley makes a welcome GB3 return this weekend with Rodin Motorsport as he deputises for Ugo Ugochukwu. His last race came on the streets of Monaco in FIA F3, and heads to a venue that has been described on occasion as Monaco without the barriers!
Chris Dittmann Racing’s Flynn Jackes will look to repeat his strong Spa form that netted his best score of the year so far, while VRD Racing by Arden’s Shawn Rashid took his best GB3 result full stop in the Ardennes.
Hillspeed’s Adi Kulkarni was another earning a season high score at Spa, while Rashid’s teammate Nikita Johnson was straight on the pace on his GB3 debut, and will expect to do the same again at the Hungaroring.
Finally, Chris Dittmann Racing provides a series return for former GB3 podium finisher Javier Sagrera. The Spaniard has since raced in Eurocup 3, and is a title challenger this season.
Track activity at the Hungaroring commences with testing on Thursday afternoon, with further sessions on Friday. Qualifying and the first race are due to take place on Saturday, before two further contests to conclude the event on Sunday. As ever, all races will be shown live and in full with GB3’s class-leading live broadcast package. Click here for information on how to follow all the action this weekend.
Hungaroring entry list
#3 Noah Ping, VRD Racing by Arden
#7 Louis Sharp, Rodin Motorsport
#10 Patrick Heuzenroeder, JHR Developments
#11 John Bennett, JHR Developments
#12 Josh Irfan, JHR Developments
#15 Aditya Kulkarni, Hillspeed
#16 McKenzy Cresswell, Elite Motorsport
#17 Nikita Johnson, VRD Racing by Arden
#18 Arthur Rogeon, Rodin Motorsport
#20 Jarrod Waberski, Elite Motorsport
#21 Will Macintyre, Hitech Pulse-Eight
#22 Tymek Kucharczyk, Hitech Pulse-Eight
#23 Gerrard Xie, Hitech Pulse-Eight
#32 Shawn Rashid, VRD Racing by Arden
#33 Hugo Schwarze, Elite Motorsport
#41 Edward Pearson, Fortec Motorsport
#55 Flynn Jackes, Chris Dittmann Racing
#62 Colin Queen, Fortec Motorsport
#67 James Hedley, Rodin Motorsport
#77 Javier Sagrera, Chris Dittmann Racing
#91 Seb Murray, Chris Dittmann Racing