- Daventry-based team travel to iconic Brands Hatch GP circuit for British F3 season opener.
- Faria looking to put full title challenge together, Formula 4 graduates Grundtvig and Bearman ready to make an impact.
- Action available to live-stream on British F3’s YouTube channel this Sunday (23 May).
Fortec Motorsport will look to make a strong start to the 2021 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship as the UK’s premier single seater category gets underway at Brands Hatch, Kent this weekend (22-23 May).
The Daventry-based team make the journey to the iconic 2.4-mile Grand Prix layout with a blend of experience and fresh talent in their three-car line up for the season ahead.
Roberto Faria showed plenty of promise during a part-season campaign in 2020, claiming his first podium finish in the Silverstone finale, and his remarkable consistency ensured the Brazilian rising star even out-scored some full-season entries in the process, despite contesting fewer rounds.
The 17-year-old will have a full title challenge in his sights for his sophomore year and has two very promising fellow Formula 4 graduates alongside.
Mikkel Grundtvig has race victories to his name in both French and Danish F4, whilst Ollie Bearman has enjoyed similar success in the German and Italian categories, in which he also continues to compete this season.
A shorter testing programme compared to the rest of the field will prove a challenge for Grundtvig, and although Bearman will only contest a part-season, this weekend marks his debut appearance in single seaters on home soil.
Regardless, however, the team arrives in optimistic mood at the beginning of another 24-race, 8-event season comprising all the nation’s premier circuits, plus an overseas trip to Spa-Francorchamps in the summer.
After four practice sessions on the Indy configuration on Friday, drivers will have a further session at 09:00 on Saturday to familiarise themselves with the GP loop, before qualifying kicks off the competitive action at 11:50.
From thereon in, it’s racing all the way, with the season opener at 15:30 on Saturday before a live-streamed double-header on Sunday at 11:10 and 16:15, both of which are available to view on British F3’s YouTube channel.
Oliver Dutton, Team Manager said:
“Everybody in the team is really looking forward to kick-starting our BRDC British Formula 3 Championship season at Brands Hatch this weekend.
“Based on the performances he turned in last season and having now enjoyed an entire winter to really adapt to the car, we’re confident Roberto will be ‘one to watch’ in the season ahead.
“Both Mikkel and Ollie are very promising talents, so it’s also very exciting for us as a team to play a role in their development as they make the step up to Formula 3.
“Brands Hatch is one of the most iconic circuits in the country, and it always produces plenty of great racing, so fingers crossed we can all start the year well and put on a bit of a show!”
Roberto Faria (#7) said:
“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m really excited to get the season underway this weekend, and especially on a circuit as cool as Brands Hatch.
“Heading into this season, I’m a lot more confident with the car now, and I have experience racing at this level. To have a continued partnership with Fortec is really useful too, it’s just one more thing ticked off the list and it helps hugely with the transition to Formula 3.
“We showed a lot of promise in the few rounds we did last year, so now the aim is to build on that and keep moving forwards.”
Mikkel Grundtvig (#43) said:
“I’m really looking forward to getting the season started at Brands Hatch this weekend. We tested at the circuit last week, which was the first time I’d ever driven there.
“I’m a big fan of the layout, it’s a proper ‘driver’s circuit’, so I can’t wait to get started.”
Oliver Bearman (#87) said:
“I’m excited to make my debut in the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship this weekend.
“I’m feeling really confident in the car and everybody at Fortec Motorsport has been really welcoming.
“It’ll be my first time at Brands Hatch, but the track seems fantastic from the laps I’ve put in using the simulator. I’m sure we’ll be up there.”
