The British F4 champion is back as a BRDC SuperStar as he prepares for a GB3 title charge
I’m really happy to be back as a BRDC SuperStar this year. It’s a nice reward for me after maybe not the best of years in 2022, but still a pretty decent year from my perspective, winning a GB3 race in my first season in the championship and just my second in car racing. It’s helpful that as a BRDC SuperStar we can use the facilities the British Racing Drivers’ Club has. Last year, as a learning year, being my first in GB3, the club really helped me out, giving me an opportunity to learn from the resources it has and from BRDC’s vast network, such as being able to talk to members, use their experience, and learn how to hone your craft. Being able to use those resources again is going to really help me develop into a better driver this year.
Last year in particular we had a really useful BRDC SuperStars media training day with Louise Goodman. It puts everything in perspective: you learn how to talk to a camera, which is something you don’t do very often starting out in motor racing. It helps you to know what kind of things you’ll be asked and what you should be replying with. So that was probably a good thing to have, especially as I might have dropped a swear word on camera last year!
Working with Andy Meyrick, the BRDC SuperStars director, is great. We’ve had talks that were organised by Andy with various team managers; Andy has worked to give us opportunities if we decided to go elsewhere and he’s always there to help and guide you through the process. Having someone with the experience of racing with different single-seater teams, as Andy has, is great.
He’s also helped me build relationships with the people who own and run those teams, as he has experience on how they work and how to get the best out of them.
In addition, Andy has experienced racing on numerous tracks in many different cars so being able to ask him, ‘What are your thoughts on this?’ and ‘Can you tell me about what’s good about this?’ is great, because he’s always available and provides good advice. That he has been able to go from being a racer to being a BRDC SuperStar, then getting factory drives and now being the programme’s director proves the dream can become a reality. You just need to listen to what people are telling you and apply it.
The BRDC SuperStars logo is a badge of pride and honour to wear, so I am proud to carry it this year and hopefully I’ll be able to make an impact in the GB3 championship. It’s great to have access to the BRDC Clubhouse and to be able to take people to the grand prix. Being on the same weekend as FIA Formula 3 also means you can take some time to talk to people and get to know them. If you can start to build those relationships early, you’re able to go talk to these people and get a head start instead of trying to do that while you’re driving.
I am also back as part of the Motorsport UK Academy, in Futures Y2. I will be trying to get to more of those events to gel with the other drivers and Motorsport UK staff. It organised some great training days last year and it was a shame I couldn’t take part in them, so this year I will take advantage of everything I can as it will be a long-term benefit. Being part of both that and the BRDC SuperStars is really special as they both have great strengths, and can both provide help, insight and influence that can help me if I am in a bit of a situation.
We’re finally getting back in the GB3 car with JHR Developments at the end of this month and the start of March. The championship is definitely the aim. For now, my focus is on getting back up to speed, getting my racecraft back where it needs to be, and getting into the competition spirit. I’ve been working hard over the winter, trying my best to get myself in better shape than last year, spending a lot of time doing sim sessions and making sure we’re ready. I can’t wait to get started. We’ll have a strong line-up and a new circuit in Zandvoort, so it will be a good one I am sure.
“BRDC’s resources are really going to help me develop into a better driver”