Fortec Motorsport journeys overseas this weekend [3-4 June] for the GB3 Championship’s annual venture to the world-famous Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
The Daventry team have had a mixed start to the new campaign, with qualifying proving something of an Achilles heel for the team’s line-up of Max Esterson, Jarrod Waberski and Edward Pearson.
In race trim, the trio have enjoyed silverware and a consistent stream of points finishes but will need to make the most of Saturday morning to take that next step and secure a breakthrough win in 2023.
The iconic 4.3-mile venue, nestled in the heart of the Ardennes Forest, is known worldwide for hosting the Belgian Grand Prix, and offers drivers a high-speed challenge, including famous corners such as the steep climb up Eau Rouge, and the downhill double left-hander at Pouhon.
The slipstream is particularly potent along the Kemmel Straight, making the subsequent chicane at Les Combes a hotspot for overtaking opportunities.
The team arrive in fifth spot in the Teams standings, but with every chance of making progress with a good points haul from the hat-trick of races in prospect. Waberski starts the weekend as the highest-placed in the Drivers standings, in joint tenth.
After three practice sessions to get dialled in, qualifying will take place on Friday evening at 17:35 (BST) to set the grid for all three races.
The first takes place on Saturday at 10:56, with the second to follow later that afternoon at 16:37. One further contest, featuring a fully reversed grid, is on Sunday at 10:53.
Live coverage of all three races will be available via the MSV TV YouTube channel.
Jarrod Waberski (#20) said:
“I’m really looking forward to getting back to work with the team at Fortec Motorsport, and to build on the work we put in at Silverstone last time out.
“We were just a bit unlucky that weekend, the results don’t really reflect the performance that we had.
“I’m looking forward to racing at Spa, which is such a special circuit with a lot of heritage. I think the racing is definitely going to be something to keep an eye out for!”
Edward Pearson (#41) said:
“I can’t wait to get to Spa-Francorchamps this weekend. For me, it’s one of the best circuits in the world, and it’ll be a real privilege to race there.
“Hopefully, the team at Fortec Motorsport and I can improve throughout the weekend, get some good results and pick up from where we left off in testing earlier in the year.”
Max Esterson (#42) said:
“I’m looking forward to bouncing back at Spa this weekend, after a tough event last time out at Silverstone.
“I was strong at Spa last year and the team and I had a really good test there earlier in the year.
“I know everybody has been working really hard, so hopefully that translates on track to some good results.”
Oliver Dutton, Team Principal said:
“We haven’t really had an opportunity to show our true pace in GB3 so far this season, so hopefully Spa this weekend will be something of a turning point.
“Our testing there earlier this year was positive, so we arrive with a good baseline for the car, and with all three drivers familiar with the circuit.
“If we qualify well, we definitely have the pace to be up at the front all weekend, so that’s our aim.”
