Australian teenager Bart Horsten has enjoyed a memorable BRDC British F3 Championship debut after securing a podium during the championship’s opening round at Oulton Park.

 

The West Australian had shown promising signs during the category’s testing sessions earlier in the week before putting in a decent qualifying performance to earn a top 10 starting place for the opening race.

 

It was a difficult start for Horsten though, with his vehicle suffering a bolt issue on the warm up lap which sent him to the back of the field, but the minor mishap didn’t deter the youngster as he climbed up the field to finish a respectable 13th place.

 

 

Despite a tough ending to what was a solid debut in British Formula 3, Horsten remained positive and was looking forward to continuing his progress.

 

“This weekend was all about getting points and finishes on the board for a start, but I felt we had great pace in testing and then into the meeting,” Horsten said.

 

“It was therefore great to get a podium and a fastest lap in my debut weekend. I think we’ve shown that we’ve got very good pace and Lanan Racing did an awesome job.

 

“I think the third race was probably one of my best races I’ve driven. We chose to save our newest set of tyres for the last race where we’d have a better grid position, and it was a case of hanging on and giving it all we could.

 

"This track makes it very difficult to overtake at, as you get close to somebody and then your downforce is instantly affected. We're looking forward to getting back out there knowing we can compete at the front."

 

Horsten and the BRDC British F3 Championship return later this month with the next round to take place at Donington Park on 15-16 August.