Verhagen is a former
Red Bull Junior; he’ll
race with Double RDe Pauw impressed
in French F4 last season18 APRIL 2019 AUTOSPORT.COM 53BRITISH F3 PREVIEWMcLaren Autosport BRDC Award. He will move into British F3
with Douglas Motorsport and becomes the first British F4
champion to compete full-time in the series.
“I think this year will be interesting,” says Jewiss. “Everyone
goes out to win, don’t they? But for me it’s about improving
myself. I know what I need to improve and that’s qualifying.
It’s not like the Ginetta Juniors [where Jewiss raced in 2017]
or touring cars; if you qualify fifth with them you can overtake,
but with all the aero and dirty air it’s not as easy in British F3,
so the qualifying is really important.”
Jewiss admits that with the uncertain situation surrounding
F3-level competition in Europe, the logical step was to move into
British F3. “We had eyed the series up for quite a while, especially
with everything going on with other F3 series in Europe,” he says.
Jewiss’s closest challenger for the F4 title last year was
Ayrton Simmons, who also competed in three rounds of
British F3 with Chris Dittmann Racing. The 17-year-old
qualified an impressive fourth on his debut at Spa and
took a best result of fifth at Silverstone.
British F4 graduates may be in the spotlight this year, but that
doesn’t mean they’ll be the only drivers challenging for the
title. One of the highest-profile names to move into the
championship is former Red Bull Junior Neil Verhagen.
The 18-year-old American will drive with Double R – which
has won two of the past three British F3 championships –
having spent two seasons in Formula Renault Eurocup.
“It’s a good series with a proven car, which was not
something that was available in other series,” he says.
“For me it’s all about learning, building up more experience
and improving. I definitely want to learn as much as I can.”
Other compatriots joining the series include former USF2000
driver Kaylen Frederick with Carlin, and Danish-American
US F4 ace Benjamin Pedersen at Douglas Motorsport.
Also moving into the series this season will be Belgian
Ulysse de Pauw, who joins Douglas after finishing third overall
last year in the highly competitive French F4 Championship,
in his first season of single-seater racing.
The most experienced driver in British F3, Manuel
Maldonado – cousin of one-time Formula 1 winner Pastor –
will return for his third full season with Fortec Motorsport,
having taken two wins last year.
Continuing the F1 theme, Hampus Ericsson, younger
brother of former F1 and current IndyCar driver Marcus,
will return for a full campaign with Double R after the
Swede impressed in his two outings with Fortec last year.
Briton Josh Mason and Thai driver Sasakorn Chaimongkol
will continue with Lanan and Hillspeed respectively, and race
winner Pavan Ravishankar will also be back with Double R.
Also joining the entry list are international F4 graduates
Lucas Petersson (Carlin) and Nazim Azman (Chris Dittmann
Racing), plus Kris Wright (Fortec).RISING STAR WANTS TO
EARN HIS STRIPES