GB3 Championship begins at Silverstone
PREVIEW - ROUND 1 - SILVERSTONE
There are high hopes for Hitech TGR as the team embarks on a new GB3 Championship campaign. Reigning British F4 champion Deagen Fairclough continues with the squad and is joined by Nikita Johnson and Keanu Al Azhari. The trio get their season underway at Silverstone this weekend.
For 2025, the new Tatuus MSV GB3-025 car marks a step forward in power and top speed, featuring 35 per cent more downforce, a 30bhp power increase and the addition of a Drag Reduction System (DRS) overtaking aid. All three Hitech drivers have been putting the revised chassis through its paces in pre-season testing and are looking forward to racing the new machine this weekend on the high-speed Silverstone Grand Prix circuit.
The eight-round GB3 calendar, featuring three races per weekend, includes four overseas events and a total of five Formula 1 circuits, including Zandvoort, Spa, Hungaroring – and for the first time – Monza, which hosts the final round of the season on October 19. Last year, Hitech scored eight wins and 12 podiums in GB3, and finished as Vice-Champions in the Teams’ standings. All three drivers are determined to reach the top spot this year.
DEAGEN FAIRCLOUGH
Young Driver of the Year
2024 was a record-breaking campaign for Deagen, after he scored 14 wins and eight podiums across the 30-race British F4 season. The West Sussex racer clinched the crown with a round to spare, and his performances earned him the prestigious Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year award. Heading into the 2025 GB3 Championship, the 19-year-old (who celebrated his birthday the week before the first race) is now poised to take the next step in his career.
Deagen Fairclough:
“My goal is to win the championship. I’m not here to just round out the numbers - I want to win and move on to the next step. The ultimate goal is to make it to Formula 1, but I’m focused on taking it one step at a time. Winning the championship this year would be a solid step toward that ultimate goal.”
Deagen is particularly excited about racing at Silverstone, the season opener:
“Silverstone is a fantastic circuit, and it’s great that it’s the first race of the season. It’s a track I know well and really enjoy. It has a bit of everything — high-speed, low-speed corners. The wider cars and the added power should make for some exciting racing. Plus, the new DRS system in the GB3 car will play a role in how races unfold, especially on fast circuits like Silverstone, where drafting and overtaking will be key.”
KEANU AL AZHARI
A rising star in a new environment
After an impressive year in Spanish F4, where he finished as Vice-Champion, Keanu Al Azhari is embarking on his first season in the GB3 Championship, racing in Alpine Academy colours. Joining Hitech for 2025, Keanu is eager to showcase his skills in the UK’s premier junior single-seater series. Having raced in various international championships, Keanu is no stranger to top-tier competition – but the move to GB3 presents a new challenge.
Keanu Al Azhari:
“It’s been a big change for me, but I’ve settled in really well. I’m really enjoying it. Obviously there’s a lot for me to learn. It’s my first time on British circuits after racing in the Spanish F4 Championship. So it’s a whole new environment for me: new team, new engineers, new mechanics, new car, and new circuits. I’m really enjoying it.”
Keanu continued:
“I feel at home with Hitech already and I’m feeling confident going into the new season, and it’s inspiring to see the team working so well together.”
Looking ahead to Silverstone, the Dubai racer is excited for the challenge and sees it as a track that rewards versatility and strategy – which will be crucial with the new DRS system:
“I’m looking forward to racing on the full Grand Prix circuit. Obviously, I’ll be up against people with more experience, but I’m ready to show what I can do,” said the 17-year-old.
NIKITA JOHNSON
Determined and hungry for success
American Nikita Johnson’s journey into GB3 is a result of his strong performances in various junior series, including USF2000, where he finished as Vice-Champion in 2024. The 16-year-old Florida native brings a wealth of experience in competitive motorsport – despite his young age – having raced in both the USA and Europe. He competed in a part-season of GB3 last year, winning at both Zandvoort and Brands Hatch.
From pre-season testing, Nikita has been impressed with the new car compared to the machine he raced at the end of last year.
Nikita Johnson:
“The new car is heavier and wider, but with similar power, so the power-to-weight ratio is about the same. However, it feels more stable due to the increased downforce. Last year, you had to really push the car to the limit to be fast, but this year, you need to be smoother. If you drive the car at 95 per cent and avoid sliding, you'll be much quicker.”
Nikita enjoyed strong results at Silverstone last July and is looking forward to returning to Hitech’s home venue this weekend. He too has high hopes for the season ahead and has an ambitious target for the 24-race campaign.
“My goal is to win the championship. It’s been a tough few seasons where luck wasn’t always on my side, but I’m determined to change that this year,” said the American racer. “Winning the championship would not only be a great achievement but also help elevate my position for a potential move to F3 or F2 in the future.”
Where to watch
As last year, the whole of the GB3 Championship is broadcast live on the MSV YouTube channel, with the first race this Saturday and two more races on Sunday.