Deagen Fairclough was ecstatic after taking his maiden pole positions in the GB3 Championship this morning (Saturday) at Silverstone.
The Hitech driver secured double pole, both over a tenth of a second clear of his nearest challengers, to start the second half of the season in perfect fashion.
“[It’s] very special and I’m so pleased,” said the 19-year-old. “I can’t thank the team enough; we’ve been working so hard and it’s finally come together.”
It is Fairclough’s first pole position in any series since October 2024, when he secured double pole for his final British F4 weekend at Brands Hatch.
“It’s been a long time to wait, and I’d forgotten how good this feeling is,” he admitted. “I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard as a team, and hopefully there are a few more to come.”
Having secured his maiden pole in the first qualifying session, Fairclough doubled down in session two, leaving it late by stealing pole from fellow Briton Rowan Campbell-Pilling with his final effort.
“I didn’t really expect it,” said Fairclough. “I just gave it my absolute everything, sent it and was able to get it. My engineer screamed so loud [over the radio] but I’m so happy and it shows how happy everyone is.”
It has been a difficult start to his sophomore GB3 campaign, with Fairclough entering the second half of the season 10th in the drivers’ standings having not finished in six of the 11 races so far this year.
“It’s been a tough first half and I’ve got to knuckle down and focus for this second half,” he said. “I can’t believe how unfortunate we have been this year, but we’ve taken it and it makes you become a better driver. I’m just pleased that we can focus on to the home circuits like Silverstone, Donington and Brands Hatch.”
Fairclough will first be hoping to convert his first pole position into his second victory in the GB3 Championship, having also stood on the top step of the podium in the 2025 season finale at Monza last October.
“We’ve had some good starts this year so hopefully we can just do that,” he said. “Then, it’s just managing the pace, being sensible and doing nothing too silly.”
“[I want to] collect some good points this weekend now that we’re in a good position. I look forward to this reverse-grid as well.”
Race one is set to start at 13.25 UK this afternoon (Saturday).
Fairclough was presented with his Pole Position trophies by Amber Macintyre, sister of GB3 race winner Will Macintyre. Click here to find out more about how you can help Will's battle against Neuro XLP1.