Fortec Motorsport will lift the curtain on another GB3 Championship season at Oulton Park this Easter weekend [8-10 April].
The Daventry-based team make the journey to the 2.69-mile Cheshire circuit off the back of a positive pre-season testing programme, and with an exciting new trio of rising stars ready to tackle the UK’s premier single-seater category.
Max Esterson is already a GB3 race winner, but the American switches teams to Fortec for 2023 in a bid to convert his raw speed and consistency into a championship challenge.
The 19-year-old is the only series returnee in the team’s line-up, experience that could prove crucial in what is shaping up to be a close-fought fight at the top of the standings, with potential contenders in every corner of the paddock.
In alongside Esterson is last year’s GB4 Championship runner-up, Jarrod Waberski. The South African talent impressed on his single seater debut last season, winning four races and taking second overall behind Fortec’s eventual champion, Nikolas Taylor.
That all came about despite minimal testing, and Waberski has marked his card as ‘one to watch’ after a string of impressive times over the winter.
Completing the trio is British F4 graduate, Edward Pearson. The 16-year-old made the switch to single seaters in 2022 after promising stints in both karting and Ginetta Juniors and was an ever-present at the sharp end of a competitive F4 field by the end of the campaign.
In total, GB3 will comprise eight events this year, starting with Oulton Park this weekend. The fast, flowing International circuit is a real drivers’ favourite, but places a heavy emphasis on qualifying, with overtaking opportunities at a premium on the narrow layout.
Qualifying kicks off the competitive action at 11:10 (BST) on Saturday, with the first of three races to follow that afternoon at 15:00.
After a break for Easter Sunday, the action resumes on Monday, with two further action-packed contests at 09:35 and 13:50. All races are streamed live and free-to-view on MSV TV’s YouTube channel, and keep up to date with behind-the-scenes content on all our social media platforms!
Jarrod Waberski (#20) said:
“I’m feeling very positive, and very confident going into this year. We’ve put in a lot of hard work, simulator training, and of course the car is more physical to drive than the GB4, so I’ve been in the gym a lot.
“With the testing we’ve had so far, I think we’re arriving at Oulton with a very good base to keep building from.”
Edward Pearson (#41) said:
“With my age, experience and from speaking to the team, honestly the important thing for me is improvement at every event. If we can get to the end of the season and be fighting for podiums, I’ll be loving it.”
Max Esterson (#42) said:
“The only option is to win, in my second year. That’s what we’re going for, I’m not really thinking about how many wins we get, or podiums, it’s just how many points we have that matters, in the end.
“Everything has been great so far in testing, it’s just the consistency I’m really looking for. It’s been great working with the team, everyone gets along really well – team-mates, engineers – so it’s been really good.”
Oliver Dutton, Team Principal said:
“I think we’re in really good shape heading to Oulton Park. It’s been one of the most positive winters we’ve had, which is even better when you consider that it’s an all-new team in GB3 for us this season.
“The championship is going to be incredibly close this year, it’s probably the best grid for a few years, at least. But we’ve prepared well, we look quick, and all three of our guys still have lots of room for development, so it’s an exciting time.”
