Simmons to make F3 debut

British Formula 4 title contender

Ayrton Simmons will dovetail a programme in the BRDC British F3 Championship for the rest of the season.

The 17-year-old is currently second in the F4 standings driving for the JHR Developments squad and has taken three wins so far this term. There are four remaining British F3 weekends, and Simmons will make his debut in the Spa event later this month.

He will compete with the Chris

Dittmann Racing squad, which was without a driver for the recent

Silverstone round. Harry Webb and Chia Wing Hoong both raced for the team earlier this season.

Simmons plans to use the F3 races as preparation ahead of a possible full campaign in 2019.

“This is the next step up in my career and, while it’s come earlier than we expected, it’s too good an opportunity to miss,” he said.

“It’s a move I expected to make anyway, and now I have a chance to learn the car and series ahead of hopefully a full season in 2019.”

Team boss Chris Dittmann added: “Ayrton has shown what he is capable of in the past couple of years and we are really looking forward to working with a driver of his potential, especially after we had our best round of the year so far at Snetterton [in May with Webb].

“We’re excited to see what he can do with us and can’t wait to get going at Spa.”