GB3 claims United Kingdom's biggest grid in five decades

Twenty-five cars will contest the GB3 season opener this weekend at Oulton Park, the largest single-seater grid in the UK in more than five decades.

Twenty-five cars will take to the grid for the GB3 series opener this weekend. (Jakob Ebrey/MSV)

James Hedley was the latest addition to the grid for Arden VRD in the BRDC-backed series, taking the field to 25.

"I’m delighted to see such huge demand for seats in GB3, which proves just what a compelling proposition it is for drivers," said MSV chief executive Jonathan Palmer.

"GB3 fills the gap between F4 and F3 superbly, with an unrivalled blend of performance, reliability and equality at an outstandingly low cost."

"As a result, the competition, amongst a very talented field, is intense, which is why our GB3 champions such as Luke Browning and Zak O’Sullivan are impressing in FIA F3, with Zak winning the last round in Australia."

Series promoters MSV say they believe it is the largest single-class single-seater grid in the UK since the early 1970s.

Costa Toparis will make his full season European racing debut. (Jakob Ebrey/MSV)

Australian Costa Toparis will drive for Rodin Carlin, the 15-year-old making his full season European racing debut.

Toparis tested the car over the winter and placed fourth in the Abu Dhabi F4 Trophy late last year at the Abu Dhabi grand prix.

Prior to that, the young Aussie competed for Team Australia in Formula 4 at the FIA Motorsport Games.

Feeder-series GB4 will also be home to Australians making their European debut.

Formula Ford driver Jack Clifford, and S5000 regular Cooper Webster will race for KMR Sport and Evans GP respectively.

“Between GB3 and GB4 there will be 40 drivers racing at Oulton Park this weekend, proof that the UK is well and truly back as an outstanding proving ground for Grand Prix drivers of the future," said Palmer.

The 2023 GB3 Championship begins 8-10 April at Oulton Park alongside GB4.