2017 has been an interesting season for me, with some really exciting opportunities coming my way. They may not have landed with me in form of a full season campaign in one dedicated championship, which is racing drivers dream, however I have enjoyed the challenge of competing with different teams, cars and series. Being able to adapt quickly is key and it certainly keeps you on your toes!
Looking back, I have raced 4 different cars in as many events in 2017!
In April I joined my 2016 squad JMW Motorsport for round 1 of the European Le Mans Series3 at Silverstone. They’re a joy to work with and the Ferrari 458 GTE is the best sounding race car around!
It was back to Silverstone in May for the Blancpain Endurance Series and my debut with the works Ferrari team AF Corse and the new Ferrari 488 GT3. I feel blessed to have been given this opportunity and I made the most of it. Sharing the same dressing room as Giancarlo Fisichella was pretty cool.
Moving on to June and I returned to the Nurburgring, or the ‘Green Hell’ as it’s better known, as I worked with Purple Dot Racing in their BMW M2 and gained some valuable experience around the 15 mile circuit. I still have another visit to make this year!
I returned to my roots in July as I took the wheel of Brookspeed Racings Porsche Cayman GT4 in the Imola 12 Hours in Italy. It was great being reacquainted with the Porsche and it didn’t take long for my Porsche Carrera Cup experiences with Celtic Speed to come flooding back. We came away with a third in class after 12 hard fought hours!
In early July I was invited to test the Motorbase Performance Ford Focus British Touring Car during the official Dunlop BTCC Tyre test day at Snetterton. It was different that’s for sure! Full concentration was required as I readjusted to the FWD touring car, but I did my best to learn quickly and I was pleased with how it went. Working with Motorbase Performance again felt very natural!
Some exciting opportunities are in the pipe line and I’m excited to announce them when the time is right. I’ll be in touch with updates soon!
Coming up next week is the big one, the Spa 24 Hours, which is the Blancpain Endurance Series’ blue ribboned event. Im joining Ferrari squad AF Corse and I’ll be reunited with my 2016 team mate and 4 times World GT Champion Andrea Bertolini. We enjoyed a test at Spa last week where we began our preparations for the race.
Next Tuesday I fly back out to Belgium for race week with various practice and qualifying sessions to complete before the big race on Saturday (15.30 BST). Some say it’s the most competitive 24 Hour race on the planet as every one of the 60 cars entered run under the same GT3 regulations, making for a very level playing field.
We are driving the number 53 Ferrari 488 GT3 and if you get a chance make sure to follow us by tuning into the action next Saturday 29th July. All 24 hours of the race will be broadcast live via the GT World YouTube channel. Click Here.