In a new regular feature after each GB3 round, we’ll be catching up with a driver that secured a personal best result at the most recent event. Argenti with Prema’s Reza Seewooruthun is first up, following his podium breakthrough last time out at Spa-Francorchamps.
The 18-year-old is no stranger to standing on the podium, having claimed multiple trophies during his career so far in Ginetta Juniors and F4, but the race three rostrum in Belgium was his first piece of silverware in GB3.
“The podium at Spa was a great way to end the weekend, especially as we were struggling throughout the weekend” was Reza’s verdict, having finished 11th and 16th in the first two races.
“We knew we had to do something different for the final race, and it definitely boosts my confidence going into Hungary. I think it gives us the edge on other people.”
A morning rain shower a couple of hours before the final race brought tyre strategy into play, and Seewooruthun was one of five drivers that elected to start the contest with slick Pirelli tyres. It proved an inspired gamble, with the track drying quickly once the race got underway.
“Going into race three we knew we had nothing to lose. It was always going to be tricky at the start of the race, but Matt our head engineer was confident that it would be the right call. After doing the out lap, I knew that it would pay off in the later stages of the race.”
Going into the Spa event off the back of a strong weekend at Zandvoort which netted two top-five finishes and an eighth in the Dutch finale, the breakthrough podium in Belgium has elevated Seewooruthun’s belief that he’ll be at the sharp end for the remainder of the campaign.
“We had a tough start to the championship at Silverstone, but the team did a mega job with the car at Zandvoort and put us in the fight to be in the top-five consistently, so I believe that top-fives will become the goal now.”
The Spa podium wasn’t just the first for the British driver, but also for the Argenti with Prema alliance, which is also new to GB3 this year. For Seewooruthun, the result is the culmination of hard work behind the scenes.
“We knew bringing lots of people from different places and starting a whole new team would be a challenge, especially when not everyone knows each other, and on top of that having a brand new car. But the team has been mega to work with and have really helped work on me as a driver.”
Hungary is next up on 5/6 July, and Reza’s sights are set even higher now.
“It’ll be my first time racing in Hungary. The track looks phenomenal to drive and the GB3 car should suit the circuit’s high-speed nature. It will be a case of who can adapt quickest to the track and deliver the lap in quali, so I think we have a shot at pole.”