Bart Horsten takes podium in British F3 opener marred by technical issues

Bart Horsten has marked a solid debut in the BRDC British Formula 3 opener at Oulton Park, with a podium finish in Race 2.

Bart Horsten stands on the BRDC British Formula 3 podium at Oulton Park. (Image: Supplied/Jakob Ebrey)

The Australian was competitive during qualifying, before traffic on his flying lap cost him vital time, leaving him ninth on the grid.

An issue on the warm-up lap demoted him to the rear of the field, with the team assigning blame to a “bolt issue.”

The Young Racing Driver Academy driver was able to climb to 12th in Race 1, and was able to take advantage of the reverse grid for Race 2, starting third.

The Perth native chased down teammate Piers Prior and Kush Maini from lights to flag, ultimately finishing in third for his maiden podium.

Horsten and team Lanan Racing chose to use his oldest set of tyres in Race 3 to give the 17 year-old the best chance in Race 4 that afternoon.

Even with the used tyres, Horsten was able to hold on for fifth position.

Crucially, his results put him third on the grid for the final race—determined by drivers’ fastest two laps across the weekend.

Bart Horsten takes his maiden podium in the BRDC British Formula 3. (Image: Supplied/Jakob Ebrey)

Horsten was holding his own in the battle for second, but a suspension problem saw his race end wrapped in the tyre barriers.

The young Aussie said "this weekend was all about getting points and finishes on the board for a start, but I felt we had great pace in testing and then into the meeting.”

“It was therefore great to get a podium and a fastest lap in my debut weekend. I think we’ve shown that we’ve got very good pace and Lanan Racing did an awesome job.”

“I think the third race was probably one of my best races I’ve driven. We chose to save our newest set of tyres for the last race where we’d have a better grid position, and it was a case of hanging on and giving it all we could.”

"This track makes it very difficult to overtake at, as you get close to somebody and then your downforce is instantly affected. We're looking forward to getting back out there knowing we can compete at the front."