Bassingham single-seater racer Jack Harvey has earned himself a drive in next season’s GP3 Series.
Newly-crowned Racing Steps Foundation British Formula Three Champion Jack will contest the race series with Lotus GP in 2013.
The GP3 Series was launched in 2010 and supports the European leg of the FIA Formula One Championship. The race series is recognised as one of the key steps in the ladder to Formula One, with a number of drivers including Valtteri Bottas having graduated from GP3 to race in Formula One.
After a dominant year in British Formula Three, which saw him secure seven wins on his way to claiming the title, Jack tested for the Lotus GP team in November in Estoril. The MSA Team UK driver impressed the team with his ability to adapt to the car and to be firmly on the pace, despite it being his first time in a GP3 car.
Jack said he was proud to have the chance to race in the series with Lotus GP. He said: “We learned a lot during the tests in November and it’s clear that optimising the performance of the tyres will be very important during the season. I am looking forward to the challenge of GP3, especially with a team like Lotus GP who have a great history of success in motorsport.
“I am looking forward to getting back in the car in March for the first test of the season and to returning to the circuits that I raced at in my seasons in Formula BMW. Our goal will be to challenge for the title and we will all be pushing hard from the beginning to achieve this.
“I would like to thank the Racing Steps Foundation for their continuing support and belief in me, without which I wouldn’t be in the position I am today.”
Lotus GP team princiap Fredric Vasseur said the team believed Jack has promise: “Despite his young age, Jack’s personality and his results have convinced us that he has all the qualities to be successful in the GP3 Series.
“In 2013, our goal is to regain the drivers’ title that we won two years running with Esteban Gutierrez and Valtteri Bottas, and we are looking forward to working towards this goal with Jack next year.”
Jack’s impressive 2012 season was recognised by the motorsports industry this month with a number of accolades. Jack received the Driver of the Year Award at the Guild of Motoring Journalists, which has been won in the past by Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Schumacher and Sir Jackie Stewart. Jack was also presented with the Spencer Charrington Trophy at the British Racing Drivers Club for being the highest placed British driver in the British F3 Championship.
Jack said: “It has been one of my strongest seasons in racing to date and to have this recognised by the motorsports industry is a great feeling. I will be working hard over the winter and next year to be in the best possible position to have another great season.”
Photos: GP3 Series Media Services