Douglas Motorsport Take GB3 Podium In Oulton Park Season Opener

Douglas Motorsport Take GB3 Podium In Oulton Park Season Opener

Douglas Motorsport grabbed a superb podium finish courtesy of Tommy Smith to round out the opening round of the 2022 GB3 Championship season in style at Oulton Park over the Easter weekend (16-18 April).

The team entered the new season armed with a fresh line-up featuring Formula Ford graduate Max Esterson, 2021 British F4 star Marcos Flack and GB3 returnee Smith, with the trio all hoping to hit the ground running with a strong start to the season.

Bringing along three of the latest Tatuus MSV-022 GB3 cars for their latest assault on the series, rookie drivers Esterson and Flack showed their potential with consistent pace well inside the top 10 on Friday.

Qualifying on Saturday morning would be a hectic affair as the 21-car field jostled for position on track to find the optimum hot lap, with Esterson leading the Douglas charge in the 20-minute timed session to decide the grid for races one and two of the weekend. The American teenager narrowly missed out on the top 10, one spot ahead of Flack while Smith sealed 18th.

A frenetic opening lap in race one later that afternoon would be to the advantage of Australian rookie Flack, who moved into the top 10 as he evaded numerous first lap incidents around him, ultimately finishing a credible ninth place on debut. Smith improved a spot from his starting position, while Esterson was a victim of the lap one squabbling which dropped him to an unrepresentative 19th.

Action would then resume on Monday, and the day would bring much brighter things for the Douglas Motorsport team. Esterson led the team’s charge initially, finishing 11th after a tight race two and narrowly missing out on 10th by 0.2s. Flack and Smith came home 14th and 17th respectively.

A reversed grid from Saturday’s qualifying results decided the order for the third and last race of the weekend, and it paid off handsomely for the resurgent Smith, who lined up on the front row of the grid for the final 14-lap contest.

The Australian would take full advantage with a fine start to maintain his position, keeping David Morales at bay throughout with a controlled performance to grab second place and his first ever GB3 podium finish.

Esterson again showed great pace as he joined an enticing 10-car tussle for sixth place, climbing the order to eighth where he remained to the chequered flag. Flack was shuffled wide at the hairpin on lap one and fell to 20th at the end of an otherwise solid weekend.

Douglas Motorsport are next in action at Silverstone GP circuit for another trio of races when the GB3 Championship visits next month on 7-8 May.

“Finishing the weekend with a podium finish is a fantastic result for us as a team, and we could not be happier for Tommy Smith to have achieved this and his first ever GB3 podium after a controlled performance.

“Qualifying was not quite representative of our pace before that, and Max in particular has a lot more to come this season having been in and around in terms of pace, as did Marcos who impressed on his first ever GB3 weekend.

“All three drivers showed great race craft also at a track that is notoriously difficult to overtake at, so we’re looking forward to a strong showing at Silverstone next month.”

Wayne Douglas

Team Principal

“Qualifying was tough and it put us a little bit on the back foot as you can’t overtake people much around here. We showed good pace in testing and in pre-season, so I know there’s a lot more to come for us this season.”

Max Esterson

“It’s great to finish on a positive. The pace was better in the final race when you’re out of the traffic and can drive at your speed. Qualifying could have gone better as we had a few issues and struggled because of that, but a great result to end the weekend. I’m really glad to get the podium and good points, because Oulton’s a tricky old track.”

Tommy Smith

“An up and down weekend for me. I learned through the weekend, but I feel that I need to learn more. It’s definitely a bit of a character-building weekend but we’ll be sorted and come out fighting a lot harder next time out.”

Marcos Flack

Douglas Motorsport Finalise 2022 GB3 Entry With Aussie Ace Marcos Flack

Douglas Motorsport Finalise 2022 GB3 Entry With Aussie Ace Marcos Flack

Douglas Motorsport are delighted to announce that Australian rising star Marcos Flack will complete their driver line up for the 2022 GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC.

The 15 year old will join compatriot Tommy Smith and American driver Max Esterson in a three car entry for the Northamptonshire based team, who are set to contest their tenth consecutive season in the UK’s leading single-seater championship.

Flack moved into single-seater racing last year with a great karting pedigree, having enjoyed success at both domestic and international level. An impressive maiden campaign in British Formula 4 saw him secure three overall podium finishes and a Rookie Cup class win.

Alongside that, the Brisbane based racer contested one-off rounds in the Italian and German Formula 4 championships and a busy 2022 season will see him continue to build his single seater skills and experience by combining his GB3 efforts with an Italian F4 entry.

Having enjoyed some GB3 tests with Douglas Motorsport at the latter end of the 2021, including showing impressive pace in the official pre-event test for the Donington Park season finale, Flack is ready to hit the ground running in pre-season testing.

“We’re really pleased to get the opportunity to go racing with Marcos this season. He integrated well with the team last year during his test outings and showed impressive speed from the off in the GB3 car. That combined with his great performances in Formula 4 means we’re confident he will be one to watch this season.”

Wayne Douglas

Team Principal

“I’m really excited to be joining the GB3 Championship with Douglas Motorsport. To have the opportunity to work alongside Wayne, Gemma and the Douglas Motorsport team in such a well run category will be fantastic. I can’t wait to drive the amazing car and hit the track.”

Marcos Flack

The GB3 Championship is the pinnacle of the UK single-seater ladder, competing at the biggest race circuits across the country and further afield. The series is watched around the world courtesy of free live online streaming of its races.

Images from Jakob Ebrey Photography.

Douglas Motorsport Sign Tommy Smith For 2022 GB3 Championship

Douglas Motorsport Sign Tommy Smith For 2022 GB3 Championship

Following a successful partial campaign together this year, Douglas Motorsport are pleased to confirm that exciting Australian driver Tommy Smith will remain with the team next year for a full season in the GB3 Championship partnered by the BRDC.

Joining American racer Max Esterson in the Northamptonshire based team’s confirmed driver line-up for the 2022 GB3 season, Smith will be aiming to build on a strong start in the championship this year as he made his UK racing debut.

The 19 year old from Melbourne made his GB3 bow at Snetterton in August, with an impressive weekend seeing him battle on the fringes of the top ten and secure a best race finish of 12th overall. He went on to replicate that result next time out at Silverstone, before bringing the season to a close at Donington Park.

Earlier in the year Smith had raced in the Formula Regional European Championship as he returned to competition after sitting out the 2020 season due to the impact of the pandemic. He’s also got previous experience from New Zealand Formula Ford, Australian Formula 4, Toyota Racing Series and Asian Formula 3.

“We thoroughly enjoyed working with Tommy this season, so we’re delighted that he’ll be back with us for a full season in 2022. He did a good job with his limited running this year, so with a full pre-season under his belt we’re confident he can enjoy a strong, competitive season.”

Wayne Douglas

Team Principal

“I really enjoyed the selected rounds of GB3 that I competed in during 2021 as a part of my first season in Europe. That experience allows me to carry confidence going into the 2022 season. I really enjoyed working with Wayne and the whole Douglas Motorsport team this year; they have all the fundamentals of a really strong team and I’m sure we can have a successful programme together.

”It’s great that we get to start the season with a clean slate amidst the introduction of the new Tatuus MSV-022. I’m certainly looking forward to getting the 2022 season underway as part of the next step in my junior career, having now had a year under my belt racing throughout Europe”

Tommy Smith

The GB3 Championship is the pinnacle of the UK single-seater ladder, competing at the biggest race circuits across the country and further afield. The series is watched around the world courtesy of free live online streaming of its races.

Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.

Douglas Motorsport Sign Max Esterson For 2022 GB3 Championship

Douglas Motorsport Sign Max Esterson For 2022 GB3 Championship

Leading single-seater team Douglas Motorsport will be back on the GB3 Championship grid next season, with American rising star Max Esterson their first confirmed driver for a multi-car entry in 2022.

The Northamptonshire based team have been a leading force in the UK’s premier single-seater championship, formerly known as BRDC British F3, ever since their debut back in 2013, and they are targeting more front-running success next season.

Esterson is an exciting addition to the team as he prepares to make his debut in GB3. It’s the latest chapter of a flourishing young career for the New York City born driver, who only contested his first full season of karting in 2019 before stepping up to cars the following year.

A race-winner in his maiden season in the U.S. F1600 Championship Series, Esterson then travelled to the UK for the 2020 Formula Ford Festival and Walter Hayes Trophy. He has stayed competing on these shores ever since, challenging for the championship title all the way through to the last round of this year’s Avon Tyres National Formula Ford Championship.

On top of that, in October the 19 year old successfully won the coveted Team USA Scholarship, earning him the opportunity to represent his country in the two big prestigious end-of-year events, the Formula Ford Festival at Brands Hatch and the Walter Hayes Trophy at Silverstone.

An eye-catching two weeks for Esterson saw him finish a brilliant second in the milestone 50th running of the Festival, before sensationally dominating the Walter Hayes. Topping every session he contested at Silverstone, he sealed the event win with a lights-to-flag victory in the grand final.

Esterson is also a hugely successful sim-racer and has competed with the support of iRacing for the last two years. Starting his virtual career at 11 years of age, he quickly moved up the ranks to become one of the top five drivers in the US and has secured multiple high-profile event wins and championship titles.

Preparations have already begun for Esterson’s introduction to the GB3 Championship, with Douglas Motorsport’s first ever American driver having shown great pace during some initial test outings with the team. They will now embark on a comprehensive driver development programme over the coming months ahead of the season starting in April.

“We’re looking forward to competing in the GB3 Championship once again next season. With some exciting upgrades to the car being introduced and a fantastic 2022 calendar, the series firmly remains the pinnacle of the UK single-seater scene.

“Max [Esterson] is a very talented young driver and we’re delighted to welcome him to the team. He’s put in some superb performances in Formula Ford this season, particularly in the two big events in recent weeks, and if his early testing times are anything to go by, we’re confident he’ll be a leading name in GB3 as well.”

Wayne Douglas

Team Principal

“I’m really excited to continue my single-seater career with a step up into the GB3 Championship with Douglas Motorsport. Switching from the Formula Ford to the GB3 car was a bit of an adjustment, but Wayne and the team have done a great job welcoming me to the series and are providing me with a great place to continue learning.

“Testing has gone well so far and we are already working hard to prepare for the first race of the season in April. Thank you to my supporters Team USA Scholarship, iRacing, Christian Angle Real Estate, Amity Search Partners, B. Dyson Capital Advisors, Bell Helmets, Max Papis Innovations (MPI) and many others for making this possible.”

Max Esterson

The GB3 Championship is the pinnacle of the UK single-seater ladder, competing at the biggest race circuits across the country and further afield. The series is watched around the world courtesy of free live online streaming of its races.

Douglas Motorsport Show Their Speed In GB3 Season Finale At Donington

Douglas Motorsport Show Their Speed In GB3 Season Finale At Donington

Douglas Motorsport rounded out the 2021 GB3 Championship season with a fighting display in the final meeting of the year at Donington Park, battling among the front-runners in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The GB3 squad headed to Leicester for a second visit of the season to Donington Park to round out their latest championship assault, bringing back Australian Tommy Smith to join regular driver Reema Juffali in a two-pronged effort.

Douglas also drafted in the young talent of another Australian in British F4 racer Marcos Flack during two days of testing across Thursday and Friday, and the team showed strong pace to sit within half a second of the fastest times ahead of the weekend.

Qualifying arrived on Saturday morning, and the pace of the Douglas duo on cold tyres was instantly impressive as both cars sat within the top 10, Juffali briefly topping the times in the early minutes as times dipped below the lap record. A late red flag stymied the chance for both to improve their times, with Smith finishing the best of the pair.

Race one took place later that afternoon, and a frenetic first lap initially played right into the hands of the Douglas duo. A multi-car scuffle at McLeans corner scattered the field, moving Smith and Juffali onto the fringes of the top 10 before both sadly fell victim to further skirmishes in the final sector.

The second race of the weekend was a much wetter affair, but certainly much more fruitful for the team as both drivers aimed to make up ground from the latter half of the field. Smith and Juffali made good starts to move inside the points paying positions, the former eventually finishing 16th and two spots ahead of Juffali after a spirited charge in the early laps.

The reverse grid gave both drivers a huge chance to end the season in style, with Douglas cars’ starting second and third. A tense opening lap kept Juffali inside the top four, after which she settled into a good rhythm towards the sharp end of the field with experienced drivers in her wake.

Looking to add to a brilliant fourth place at Silverstone earlier in the season, Juffali held off the attentions of several drivers in the second half of the 12-lap contest, and grimly fought back at Old Hairpin when challenged by Tom Lebbon for fourth. The drying track meant she slid slightly wide, losing grip at the bottom of the hill and falling to eighth. Both drivers fought hard to the flag, Juffali the best of the pair on the road but hindered by a time penalty, while Smith claimed 17th on another learning outing for the youngster.

“The season has been very much a learning season for our drivers, and Reema has shown glimpses of what she can really do with a fourth place this year and another fighting performance here at Donington. It has been a pleasure working with the drivers we have, and for Tommy it has been very much a big change for him to learn the UK circuits and these cars. We look forward to next season and what the future holds for us as a team.” 

Wayne Douglas

Team Principal

“I felt so much happier in the dry on this track. The start was tricky on the hill and that resulted in wheelspin, but following that I had a good rhythm and some good wheel to wheel action. Everything I’ve learned this season has 100% made me a better driver; competitive racing, weather changes, and even the mishaps. These UK tracks push you hard, it’s been a great experience.” 

Reema Juffali

“It was a difficult day on Sunday as I struggled in the wet which meant I went backwards a bit. But it’s my first time here and in the wet, so it was a learning experience. I used that well, and then in the last race it was a bit frustrating – if we had a clean couple of laps I’d have settled in. It was a pleasure racing for Douglas Motorsport this season as they’re a great team and the opportunity is one I couldn’t turn away from.”

Tommy Smith

Images from Jakob Ebrey Photography.

Charging Juffali Reaps Reward For Douglas Motorsport At Oulton Park

Charging Juffali Reaps Reward For Douglas Motorsport At Oulton Park

Douglas Motorsport were buoyed by a superb recovery drive from Reema Juffali to come from last to the top 10 in a dramatic penultimate weekend of racing in the GB3 Championship’s visit to Oulton Park (11/12 September).

The Douglas team welcomed back regular driver Juffali to the team for the visit to the 2.69-mile Oulton Park International circuit based in Cheshire, the Saudi Arabian racer hoping to add to her impressive fourth place finish earlier in the season at Silverstone.

The team’s attention was initially focused on mileage and knowledge over six test sessions, held in a mixture of wet and dry conditions over the two days of Thursday and Friday. Still gaining experience in her rookie season, Juffali clocked 78 laps over the sessions.

Qualifying 17th on the grid for the first two races of the weekend, Juffali began her recovery by stealing a march on race winner Mikkel Grundtvig at the start of the opener. What followed was a superb display of defensive driving, as Juffali held her rival at bay for the 13-lap contest to add to Douglas Motorsport’s points tally.

The second race of the weekend would be a polar opposite in terms of action on track, with drama aplenty through the field. Juffali once again made the most of a great start to leapfrog Grundtvig, and gave chase to an increasingly-growing pack of cars ahead of her.

Taking advantage of several spinning rivals, including two cars battling for the win ahead, Juffali climbed ahead of Brandon Oxley and pulled onto the tail of the battle for sixth place. An off for Sebastien Alvarez gave her another spot, and the Douglas team could celebrate a fine gain of seven spots to complete the top 10 – Juffali’s second-best result of the season.

Sodden weather conditions greeted the field for race three, and again the Douglas team looked on intently as their car climbed into the top 13 from 17th. Juffali kept pace with double winner Christian Mansell and was unfazed by the conditions, however she was unfortunately caught out by the damp kerbs and spun late on, ending an otherwise promising weekend prematurely. 

“Overall, what started off as a potentially difficult weekend for us actually turned itself around thanks to some great race craft by Reema. She held her own under pressure brilliantly in race one and kept her cool while others didn’t to get a fine result in race two and break into the top 10 from the back of the grid, which was mightily impressive. That race pace bodes well ahead of the last round at Donington Park, so we can look forward to a strong showing there next month.” 

Wayne Douglas

Team Principal

“Overall qualifying was unlucky. In race one I held my position well and defended almost every lap. In race two I had a good start which pushed me forward and allowed me to drive my own race. More cars were falling off which played into my hands and at that point I knew I just needed to keep my head down.

”In race three the weather didn’t faze me, but it did catch me out. Unfortunately it ended the way it did, but with one more round left there has been a lot of positives to take from the weekend.”

Reema Juffali

The Douglas Motorsport squad are hoping to end the 2021 GB3 Championship season on a high during a second visit of the campaign to Donington Park over the weekend of 16/17 October.

Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.