Douglas Motorsport is one of the first operations to get on track with its new Tatuus MSV-022 GB3 cars, having shaken down the machine last weekend at Bedford Autodrome.
Team Principal Wayne Douglas, a former McLaren Autosport BRDC Award finalist, was the man behind the wheel of his squad’s new car, and he was immediately impressed with the upgraded package.
“It’s great to be one of the first teams to get on track with the updates, and ideal to get dry running straight away,” he commented.
“Having driven the original car I can tell right away that it’s a lot more sorted. The engine response is very good and has a lot more torque lower down the range. The whole package is smoother and more efficient and the aero balance is stronger too.”
Improved aerodynamics means the car produces around 25 percent more downforce than the previous model and has 20 extra horsepower from its Mountune engine. With only a minimal weight gain due the addition of the halo, Douglas is confident of improved lap times from the off.
“The new car will be faster for sure,” he reckons. “It felt well-planted straight away and with the improved aero and engine power, and considering that the halo hasn’t added much weight to the car, I expect to see lap time improvements straight away.
“MSV has done a great job with the introduction of the new package and credit to Jonathan Palmer, Giles Butterfield and Tatuus for taking it from concept to the track as quickly as they have. To be able to take it to Bedford Autodrome as well was great for us as a team as well, we’re based nearby and it’s the perfect place to have a shakedown like this.”
Douglas will hand driving responsibilities over to his two signed drivers for the new season in the coming weeks, ahead of a major pre-season testing programme.
“Both Max [Esterson] and Tommy [Smith] will be arriving in the country at the start of February, and will go straight into a test programme with us. We’re full steam ahead with a 20 day test programme ahead of the first race, so we expect to be in good shape.”