Hot prospect Louis Sharp is looking to further his future Formula 1 credentials as the next three rounds of the 2024 GB3 Championship visit three of Europe’s premier Grand Prix circuits over the next two months, beginning with next weekend’s round at Circuit Spa-Francorchamps.
Rounds at Hungaroring (22-23 June) and Zandvoort (13-14 July) follow.
Having proved his potential by winning last year’s British F4 Championship, a formative title formerly won by Lando Norris, Sharp has further enhanced his reputation as a future star since stepping up to GB3, the UK’s premier single-seater series.
Against all the odds – and far more experienced opposition – the hugely talented young New Zealander took pole position on his GB3 debut and proceeded to take an impressive lights-to-flag victory in his very first race at this loftier level. Impressively, he has topped the series standings ever since.
“This stretch of European Grands Prix tracks is going to be quite cool and, hopefully, a taster of what’s to come in the future,” aspired Sharp, who has celebrated his 17th birthday since the last races in the wet at a soggy Silverstone. ”It will be great to have three more F1 tracks under my belt.”
While looking forward to the challenges presented by racing at three of the continent’s most famous F1 venues, all three will be totally new tracks for him to learn.
“It will be tough as those who raced last year in GB3 will already know both Spa and Zandvoort, but while that might give them an initial advantage, it’s not really a major issue,” he insisted.
“My Rodin Motorsport team know the circuits well, and we get some good free practice track time on Thursday and Friday ahead of qualifying, so there will be plenty of opportunities to get up-to-speed. Moreover, Hungary will be new to everyone as it wasn’t on last year’s calendar.
“Of all the circuits on the calendar, I’m probably looking forward to Spa the most. I did some testing there towards the end of last year, and the circuit is awesome. I can’t wait to go racing there – it’s going to be really cool.”
Quite apart from the thrill of competing at the legendary home of the Belgian Grand Prix, Sharp is aiming to build on his stellar start to the season.
“The goal is to extend my championship points lead,” he admitted. “Obviously, it’s still very early on, and while others have been testing, I haven’t been in the car since the end of April, but there’s no reason why I shouldn’t be winning. That’s certainly the target.”
All GB3 races are live-streamed on YouTube, the GB3 website and GB3 social media channels, making it incredibly easy for everyone to follow Louis’ fortunes as he ventures into Europe for the very first time in his outstanding career to date.
Header Image: Rodin Motorsport
