Japanese driver Ayato Iwasaki will remain with Elite Motorsport
for a full GB3 campaign in 2023, after making his series debut with
the Norfolk team at last year's Donington Park finale.
Iwasaki posted a sixth place finish in the last race of the
season, his first car event in Europe, ending less than four
seconds behind the race winner.
The 19-year-old, who contested three Formula Regional Middle East
Championship races in Kuwait earlier this year, has since tested
with Elite at Valencia and Motorland Aragon earlier this winter and
at this week's Oulton Park test ahead of the season opener at the
same venue on Easter weekend (7-10 April).
He made his car racing debut in the 2022 Formula Regional Asian
Championship at Yas Marina, and also contested two Japanese F4
Championship events last year. Prior to that, he was a multiple
karting champion in Asia.
Ayato joins sophomore driver McKenzy Cresswell at Eddie Ives'
team, which expects to complete its three-driver GB3 line-up in the
coming weeks.
Ayato Iwasaki said: "I feel GB3 is the best
series for me at the moment in my career, both in terms of cost as
well as the competitive level. The car is great to drive and the
series goes to some very nice tracks.
"I really enjoyed my first time in the UK at Donington last year.
The series is very well organised and the car is really fun to
drive.
"I was very comfortable with Elite at Donington. All the
mechanics, engineers and coaches were super friendly and made me
feel very welcome.
"It is also a very competitive team with great results, always
fighting at the front. I hope to be able to score more podiums and
wins for them."
Team Owner and Manager Eddie Ives said: "I'm
extremely pleased to have Ayato competing for us this season.
"He surpassed our expectations in the final GB3 event of the year
last October, especially considering it was his first races in the
category and at Donington Park - in fact hia first time racing in
the UK.
"Testing has been going well for him over the winter and I'm very
much looking forward to seeing how Ayato develops in GB3
during the year."