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With Hitech Pulse-Eight’s signing of Luke Browning, the 2023 Formula 3 grid has been filled.
Heading into pre-season testing, there was only one spot left on the grid. Hitech ran Browning as a part of their testing lineup but waited to officially confirm him until right before the start of the season.
Browning was the recipient of the 2022 Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award, having taken the GB3 Championship title earlier that year.
“I’m excited to announce I’ll be taking the step up to FIA Formula 3 with Hitech,” said Browning. “We had a fantastic season in GB3 last year. These past 12 months I have really developed as a driver with their guidance and professionalism.
“I am very thankful to the people who continuously believe in me and have made this possible. I am under no illusions how competitive FIA F3 is and stepping into the car for the first time in February will be a steep learning curve before we head to Bahrain. I feel confident with everyone at Hitech that I can hit the ground running!”
On their newest signing, Hitech’s Team Principal Oliver Oakes added: “We are delighted to welcome Luke to our team in FIA Formula 3. We had a fantastic year with him in GB3, securing the driver’s title with five wins, and we are confident his experience will be of great value to the team.”
Full grid for 2023
With Browning’s signing announced just two days before the first on-track action, the Formula 3 grid is complete. It contains 11 teams and 33 drivers, 17 of which are rookies. Hitech is one of two teams to opt for a full-rookie lineup, along with Jenzer Motorsport.
The 2023 Formula 3 grid is also home to Academy drivers from Ferrari, Red Bull, Alpine, and Williams. There are plenty of rising stars on the roster, some of which will undoubtedly make it to Formula 1 in the future.
The top seven drivers from last year’s grid has all made the step up to Formula 2, leaving a gap for new talent to fill. Will one of the 17 rookies become the Formula 3 champion this year, or will someone who couldn’t quite get there last year make it to the top?
The 2023 season begins this weekend in Bahrain, starting with practice and qualifying on Friday. Bahrain kicks off Formula 3’s ten round long season, which ends in Monza this September.
Feature Image Credit: Joe Portlock – Getty Images
