- The UK’s premier single-seater series kicks off at Oulton Park on Easter weekend
- Swedish rookie “as ready as I can be” following strong pre-season form
Joel Granfors is raring to go as the 2022 GB3 Championship – the UK’s leading single-seater series – springs to life at Oulton Park on Easter weekend.
Granfors steps up to GB3 – previously known as British Formula 3 – this season following a successful first campaign in international motorsport last year in British Formula 4.
The Swedish teenager remains at Fortec Motorsports, the same team which ran him to fourth overall in the 2021 F4 standings, as he bids to capitalise on a highly promising pre-season period that has included several pace-setting performances in winter testing – most recently on Tuesday at opening-round venue Oulton Park.
TRACK GUIDE: Oulton Park
“We have had pretty close to a perfect pre-season period, with plenty of constructive testing, strong pace and basically no issues at all with the new car,” says Joel Granfors. “The test here yesterday continued along the same lines and we really think we’re on the right path. I love driving the GB3 car and I feel as ready as I can be. I’m excited to finally get back to racing!”
This weekend’s curtain-raiser ushers in a new era for the GB3 Championship, featuring updated, faster cars, more powerful engines, an extensive new media package and increased grid numbers. More than 20 drivers, from across eight different countries, are entered into the 2022 championship – which promises to be the most competitive in years.
ENTRY LIST: 2022 GB3 Championship
Joining Joel Granfors in a three-car Fortec line-up are sophomore Dane Mikkel Grundtvig – a two-time race winner in 2021 – and Britain’s Zak Taylor.
The opposition boasts some of the finest of UK single-seater racing, including multiple champions Carlin and current FIA Formula 2 championship leaders Hitech GP.
“We know that the competition will be stiff, just like you would expect at this level,” Joel Granfors concludes. “Things have been going very well over the winter, but at the end of the day I am a rookie in GB3 and there are many returning, fast drivers on the grid this year. It will be difficult to beat them, but that’s the challenge – and the target is to win.”
GUIDE: GB3 Championship – how it works
This weekend’s GB3 opener formally begins with two days of official testing on Thursday and Friday. Stakes are raised on Saturday for the first qualifying session and race of the season, with the field then taking Easter Sunday off before returning to the track on Monday for another two 20-minute races to complete the meeting.
Live streaming is available for all races throughout the entire season. Streaming will be accessible through the GB3 website and social platforms, as well as directly from the start page at www.joelgranfors.com.