The GB3 Championship has become an incredibly competitive series that has allowed drivers to graduate further up the ladder and even step up to Formula 1.
GB3’s alumni include F1 race winner George Russell and the most recent champions, Luke Browning and Callum Vosin, who have won races in FIA F3.
This season’s grid includes Australian driver Patrick Heuzenroeder, who stepped up from British F4 for the 2024 season.
The JHR Developments driver is 12th in the championship standings, knocking on the door of the top 10 after taking a podium earlier this year at Zandvoort.
Getting to the highest level and battling in Formula 1 requires a lot of funding and talent, making it very difficult. Heuzenroeder is being coached by former Formula 1 driver David Brabham, who has been a great help.
Heuzenroeder said when speaking exclusively to Full Oversteer, he is adamant that his objective is to climb the ladder and reach F1, although he is open to other forms of motorsport such as endurance racing.
Patrick Heuzenroder ‘definitely’ wants to reach Formula 1 in his career
Heuzenroeder has been consistently in and around the top 10 throughout this season in GB3, scoring points in all but three of the races so far.
The Australian driver is looking to follow in the footsteps of current F1 drivers from Australia, Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo.
Heuzenroeder is also open to endurance racing, which his mentor Brabham had a lot of success in during his career. He won on multiple occasions at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Speaking exclusively to Full Oversteer, Heuzenroeder said: “[I’m] definitely trying to get to Formula 1. I think with a great team around me, it’s possible.
“David’s been there, but he’s also done endurance racing. So I think just as long as I’m sitting behind a steering wheel, I’ll be happy, but I want to get to Formula 1 first and then explore other series if I can.”
Endurance racing has been a surge in popularity in recent years, with the Hypercar class in the WEC becoming much more competitive.
The series has also seen young drivers such as Callum Ilott, who were overlooked for opportunities in F1, make a successful career in the World Endurance Championship.
David Brabham is mentoring Patrick Heuzenroeder on and off the circuit in GB3
Brabham has been working with Heuzenroder throughout the 2024 season in the GB3 Championship, which has visited Formula 1 circuits such as Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.
The Australian is very experienced having raced at the highest level of endurance racing and competed in Formula 1 for two seasons over his career.
Brabham is looking to help Heuzenroeder throughout his career and pass on his wealth of experience and knowledge.
The ex-F1 driver, while mentoring Heuzenroeder, has described his compatriot as ‘an ambitious and driven young man’ who fans from all over the world not just in Australia should follow.
GB3’s eighth and final round of the series will take place at Brands Hatch, where it is very difficult to pass. Heuzenroeder took sixth place there in British F4.