Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
James Hedley will race for Rodin Motorsport at this weekend’s latest GB3 round at the Hungaroring.
The 20-year-old is deputising for McLaren Formula 1 junior Ugo Ugochukwu, who will be Hungary this weekend but focusing on his full-time Formula Regional European Championship campaign.
Hedley competed in the opening two rounds of GB3 this season with Velocity Racing Development by Arden, having won twice and finished sixth in the standings with the team in 2023. He also made his FIA Formula 3 debut at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, having received a last-minute call-up to replace the unwell Matias Zagazeta at Jenzer Motorsport.
That, like his appearance at the Hungaroring, is part of a plan to learn mainland European circuits.
“I’m pleased to be racing with the team this weekend in Budapest and I’d like to thank everyone who has made this opportunity possible,” said Hedley. “2024 so far has been a season where I’m pushing to continue to get as much experience at European tracks as possible and being able to add the Hungaroring to that list with Rodin Motorsport is just fantastic.
“I’ve never tested or raced at the Hungaroring before but I’ve been on the sim getting used to it and it looks like it’s got quite a lot of interesting undulations and characteristics. I can’t wait to get on the track walk and check it out properly with the team.
“Overall, the plan is to hit the ground running and be there at the front end of the grid – I think getting on the podium would be a realistic goal especially seeing as the team are looking really strong; I’m hoping to add to that so we can maximise the weekend together. All in all, I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
Rodin will be the fourth different outfit that Hedley has raced for in GB3, having switched from Elite Motorsport to JHR Developments halfway through his first full campaign in 2022.
“We are looking forward to working with James out in Hungary,” said Rodin’s GB3 team manager Ricky Taylor. “He has a proven track record in this series and brings a wealth of experience in these cars which, along with everything we’ve been achieving this season so far, will continue to push us in the right direction as we continue to build our campaign in the teams’ championship.”