GB3 British talent James Hedley to make Formula 3 debut with Jenzer Motorsport

Credit: James Sutton via Getty Images

Matias Zagazeta (pictured above) at the opening round in Bahrain - Credit: Joe Portlock via Getty Images)

British GB3 racer James Hedley is to make his FIA Formula 3 debut with Jenzer Motorsport in Monaco, in place of Peruvian talent Matias Zagazeta - as announced on Wednesday.

Hedley, 19, is currently competing in his second season of GB3 and for the first time will participate in Formula 3 in place of Zagazeta. Matias will miss the round after undergoing surgery. Zagazeta had to undergo an operation to have his appendix removed but he is determined to be back for the fifth round in Barcelona.

Zagazeta took to social media to break the news to his followers. On his Instagram post, he said: "Hello everyone, unfortunately I will not be able to race in Monaco this weekend. Yesterday I had to get an emergency operation to have my appendix removed when I was on my way to Monaco. I had to stop in Genoa and get the operation here."

He concluded by saying: "Things happen for a reason. Time to rest, reset and come back stronger in Barcelona."








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​This will be a huge change for young Brit Hedley. At 19, he will be sharing a team with American Maxwell Esterson and Austrian Charlie Wurz.

So far in 2024, in his second full GB3 championship season, Hedley sits 10th in the drivers standings, driving for VRD Racing by Arden. A best finish of fourth so far in the opening race at Oulton Park -  the opening round.

It will be a good challenge and a great learning curve for Hedley, as he gets to make his Formula 3 debut on one of the most iconic weekends in motorsport - the Monaco Grand Prix weekend.

Hedley's first session, free practice, begins on Thursday May 23

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Brandon Whiteside
Writer - f1journal.co.uk