Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
Karting star and GB4 podium-finisher Marcus Luzio will make his GB3 bow at this weekend’s third round at Spa-Francorchamps with Hillspeed.
The 17-year has continued in senior karting this year while also stepping up to car racing in F4-spec series GB4, where he currently sits seventh in the standings with one podium finish, having entered as a privateer and received assistance from Hillspeed.
To obtain the required number of signatures on his licence to be eligible to race in GB3, Luzio also competed in 750 Motor Club’s wingless single-seater series Formula Vee this month on Silverstone’s National layout, scoring a best result of 22nd in a 33-car field.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Hillspeed in GB3,” said Luzio. “I only stepped into a single-seater car for the first time eight weeks ago at Oulton Park, and the guys at Hillspeed were very helpful in my first privateer race. Despite having such limited experience as a driver, Hillspeed has managed to bring me on significantly.
“I was given the opportunity to test the GB3 car at Donington two weeks ago and it was an amazing experience. It was a fantastic test and driving that car made me realise I wanted to move up as quickly as I could. Although I know it is going to be extremely challenging racing against the experienced GB3 grid, I cannot wait to be at Spa.
“We are so thankful for all the coaching, set-up work and support that Hillspeed has provided so far, and I can’t wait to get onto the grid with the team in this new challenge.”
Having moved into senior karts in 2022, Luzio won the IAME Winter Cup as a rookie, last year finished 12th in the same contest and fought for the win in the 2024 edition before retiring. He was 36th in the IAME Euro Series in 2022, 37th in 2023 and leads the standings this season.
“We are absolutely delighted to have completed this deal with Marcus and his father Gian to make the step-up with Hillspeed into GB3,” said Hillspeed team principal, Richard Ollerenshaw. “Marcus has shown tremendous ability and speed during the few races he has had in GB4, and since we began working with him at Silverstone we have been mightily impressed by his exceptional performances with so little single-seater experience.
“It’s certainly an ask for Marcus, making his GB3 debut at a track like Spa, but the test he did with us in the GB3 car recently was outstanding. The plan for the Luzio family was to use this year as a learning year, achieve the necessary signatures on the racing licence, and then look to move into GB3 in 2025. Things have obviously developed a little faster than that, we can’t wait for Spa!”
Luzio isn’t the only driver making their first GB3 appearance at Spa, as USF Pro 2000 leader Nikita Johnson will make his long-awaited debut with Velocity Racing Development by Arden after turning 16 last weekend.