Testing of the upgraded technical package for the 2026-specification GB3 Championship car kicked up a gear at Donington Park last week, ahead of the penultimate rounds of the season which took place on 4/5 October.
The test included the first public run of a development version of the 2.4 litre normally aspirated Mountune engine, along with several other detail technical changes and preliminary aerodynamic tweaks.
With 2024 GB3 runner-up and current Formula 2 driver John Bennett at the wheel, the revised car proved a significant step forward compared to the current model, with lap times well over a second a lap quicker than the other cars on track at the same time.
“It’s still a lot of fun to drive, and the extra torque really improves the package,” said Bennett, who drove the 2025-specification car in a test earlier this year.
“The extra mid-range makes a great difference to how you can apply the throttle, in low, medium and high speed corners. It makes the car feel a lot more alive, without losing its nimble handling.
“I can already tell drivers will love it - it will definitely be breaking GB3 lap records across the board.”
Bennett is the first driver to progress from GB3 straight into Formula 2, therefore bypassing F3, and he believes the further revised GB3 car will increase the relevance of the series for drivers moving up to the F1 support package.
“The change will also increase the delta on lap time from old tyres to new, as well as increasing tyre degradation and possibly more tyre management will be needed in the races - all important aspects on the F1 ladder.”
Further testing, including with the full aerodynamic upgrades, will continue over the coming weeks.