Brazilian rising star Roberto Faria will remain with Fortec Motorsports for a full season assault on the 2021 BRDC British F3 Championship.
The 16-year-old made his British F3 debut at Donington Park in September and improved rapidly, claiming top-six finishes in each of the final six rounds of 2020. His progress was highlighted by an extremely strong weekend at Silverstone, the season finale, where he secured two top-three starting positions in qualifying and ended his year with an excellent second place in the final event of the season.
The Rio de Janeiro resident finished 14th overall in the championship standings, despite only competing in the final 13 races of the year.
Prior to his British F3 graduation, Faria had proven himself as a front-runner in the British Formula 4 Championship, taking two overall podiums and a pole position with Fortec before his early British F3 graduation.
His single-seater debut came with the team in 2019, claiming 21 British F4 Rookie Cup podiums on his way to third in the class standings. Before this, he’d enjoyed a strong karting career, where he claimed multiple State Championship honours in his homeland, before moving on to the CIK-FIA OK-Junior European Karting Championship.
With a strong end to his British F3 graduation fresh in his mind, Faria is looking forward to a front-running challenge in 2021: “I'm happy to be returning with Fortec Motorsports for my third year with them in 2021. I have learned a lot this season and after having such a strong final round at Silverstone fighting at the front, I know I can carry this momentum onto the 2021 season. The car feels amazing and I was straight on the pace after joining the championship half way through the year. I have a great relationship with Fortec and we work hard on and off the track together to get the best out of my performance in the car. I feel that I am ready to fight for the championship next year and I can’t wait for it to get underway.”
Fortec Motorsports Team Manager Ollie Dutton commented: “We're ecstatic to have Roberto stay with us for his third year at Fortec. Roberto has definitely cemented himself into our family and watching him progress year after year is great to see. Since day one we have been working hard on his fitness and strength here at the factory which showed with how easily he transitioned into the BRDC British F3 car with very little testing. Roberto is a very motivated driver and his preparation off track is amazing. Even though Roberto is still only 16, he's mature enough to know that hard work and determination outside the car translates in the car. I can’t wait to watch his career continue and I'm excited to see him have a very successful 2021 campaign next year.”
The 2021 BRDC British F3 Championship will start at Oulton Park on Easter weekend (3&5 April), and will also include rounds at Snetterton, Brands Hatch GP, Spa Francorchamps and two events at Silverstone and Donington Park.
