Hampus Ericsson will move up to BRDC British Formula 3 for the final two rounds of the season with Fortec Motorsports, switching from the team’s British Formula 4 squad.
The Swede won the 2017 British F4 Challenge Cup, finishing 10th overall in the standings with two podiums. Ericsson currently sits 11th in the 2018 standings, with a best finish of fourth. He missed the last round at Knockhill and failed to start two of the Rockingham races.
On several occasions Ericsson, younger brother of Sauber Formula 1 driver Marcus, has put his poor results down to bad luck or small mistakes.
?I?m really looking forward to making the move up to British F3 for the last two rounds of the season,” Ericsson said.
“I?m also very happy to be remaining with Fortec as I move up into a new series, they?ve helped me a lot with my development in F4, and I know they?ll help me adapt to the new car very quickly. I?m looking to end my season on a high, and hope for strong results at Donington Park and Silverstone.?
?We?re very pleased to welcome Hampus to our British F3 team,” added Fortec team manager Russ Dixon.
“He?s had a difficult season in F4, with issues beyond his control, and we feel a change of scenery will help him to display the natural talent and speed he has shown us. We look forward to seeing him in the British F3 car and we think he?ll spring a surprise or two in the final two rounds.?
Formula Renault regular Max Defourny will be returning to the championship for the Donington round, having made a shortlived F3 debut with Douglas Motorsport at the Spa-Francorchamps round in which he retired from the first race and failed to start the second or third. He has been testing the F3 car since, although it will be his first ever time driving at Donington.
Another potential addition to the championship is MSV F3 Cup leader Cian Carey. The Irishman races with Chris Dittmann Racing in that series, and could graduate to British F3 with the team for the final two rounds. He has already tested the car at Silverstone.
Christian Lester and Rosso Verde Racing join F4
Christian Lester, son of former British GT driver Hector, will make his single-seater debut at Silverstone this weekend in British F4.
The 20-year-old will do so with Rosso Verde Racing, the team ran by his dad that has a successful history in GT racing. The entry will be ran in conjunction with successful Formula Renault team Scorpio Motorsport, which acquired a F4 entry in 2015 but never raced.
Lester made his F4 test debut in June, propping up the timesheets at Croft. The Northern Irishman showed much improved pace in the pre-event Silverstone test. He is set to also contest the Brands Hatch season finale, and may compete full-time in the championship in 2019.