Heuzenroeder to spearhead Xcel Motorsport’s inaugural GB3 Championship campaign

Heuzenroeder to spearhead Xcel Motorsport’s inaugural GB3 Championship campaign

Australian Patrick Heuzenroeder to spearhead Xcel Motorsport’s inaugural GB3 Championship campaign

The 19-year-old will join Xcel Motorsport as it seeks to build on its years of success in the UAE and its British F4 campaign in 2024. With Heuzenroeder having demonstrated his potential in last year’s GB3 Championship scoring a podium and multiple top 5 finishes, the team is looking to him to bring his prior experience in the Championship and tracks to their 2025 tilt.

Heuzenroeder is currently competing in the New Zealand Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship (formerly the Tasman Series) where he has been grabbing attention with his impressive pace and his passing ability in a series and car known for the difficulty in overtaking.  In one of the most competitive fields the Oceanic series has seen.  Despite a mechanical issue affecting the first qualifying of the Championship, he is currently in 4th place with eight top 5 finishes (including three podiums) out of the twelve races so far, which should see him hit the ground running for his GB3 campaign in 2025.

The GB3 Championship is the leading single seater championship in the United Kingdom and with four of the eight rounds in 2025 to be hosted at European F1 circuits: Spa, Monza, Zandvoort and Hungaroring, and a further two rounds at Silverstone, and one each at the legendary Brands Hatch and Donington former F1 circuits, it is well established as one of Europe’s leading feeder series to Formula 1.  The series is also launching a new Tatuus MSV GB3-025 car for the 2025 season and beyond. With a completely revised chassis and F1-inspired aerodynamics comprising the most advanced aerodynamics package ever at this level, modelled to add 35% more downforce at the same drag level compared to the current GB3 car, the package also includes DRS for the first time, along with industry leading safety standards and a new Mountune engine producing 280bhp, up from 250bhp with the current GB3 car.

The 19-year-old’s experience, having also raced in British F4, and Formula Ford in his homeland, will be a strong asset for the UAE-based Xcel Motorsport squad, which is preparing for its GB3 debut this year. With a strong team recruited at Xcel to be fully behind Heuzenroeder and the continued support of his mentor, former F1 driver and 3x Le Mans Winner, David Brabham, the team and driver are confident of running at the front of the field and vying for the Championship.

Heuzenroeder said: “I’m very excited to be joining Xcel Motorsport in my 2025 GB3 campaign. I think we’ve got a great team, full of experience, and hungry to win. I can’t wait to get the season started in April.”

Xcel Motorsport Team Manager Gary Bonnor said: “We’re absolutely delighted to having been able to secure Patrick for the team and welcome him to Xcel Motorsport for our inaugural GB3 season. Patrick’s experience will be invaluable as we hit the ground running in 2025.

“His performance last season and what he has been doing in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship over the winter shows he has what it takes to compete at the sharp end of the grid, and we’re committed to providing him with all the tools and support he needs to achieve even greater success this year. We’re excited to see what we can accomplish together.”

Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship: Rd.4

Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship: Rd.4

Another strong weekend for Heuzenroeder at Round 4 of the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship, moving up in the championship. 

4th February 2025 

Teretonga Park, Invercargill, New Zealand  

Australian Patrick Heuzenroeder again showcased his racing ability with yet another strong weekend in Round of 4 of the CTFROC at Teretonga Park Invercargill, the world’s most southern FIA® recognised racing circuit. He delivered a podium and two 4thpositions after his most consistent qualifying performances yet and some well executed and assertive first lap moves on the historic track.

An old school sub-1 minute lap time track, with very limited passing opportunities, again signified how important qualifying is with passing so difficult. Heuzenroeder, currently leading the overall overtakes for the season, qualified P4 on Saturday morning.  After a strong start and consistent race pace, the race ended under red flag but a P4 cemented his move into 4th place in the championship.

In Sunday morning’s qualifying Heuzenroeder felt he could have delivered more after being held up by a slower car, only able to achieve P5.  Starting P5 in the reverse grid Race 2, a cracking start and assertive driving saw him progress to P3 in the first two corners. Gapping the cars behind him he was chasing the top 2, before two safety car interventions and restarts saw him finish P4.

In the feature race later that afternoon, Heuzenroeder lined up P5, whilst starting on the racing line a bold outside move around turn 1 saw him move into P4, before the race was red flagged.  After a rolling start to recommence the race, Heuzenroeder continued to the chequered flag finishing P4.

A strong weekend again demonstrating his pace and race craft, Heuzenroeder continues to make a name for himself in the series, with eight top 5 finishes out of the 12 races to date, including three podiums.

The New Zealand Grand Prix round next weekend at Highlands Motorsport will again see the chance to battle some of the top names from the Australian Supercars Championship, with 2024 Champion Will Brown re-entering the series and Broc Feeney to make his debut.

Heuzenroeder is 4th in championship, and hoping for a solid final weekend in the hunt for a top 3 finish overall.

2025 NEXTGEN, ROUND 5, TERETONGA, NEW ZEALAND.
WORLD COPYRIGHT: TAYLER BURKE
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