Simmons to remain with Charouz Racing System for first full F3 campaign

Charouz Racing System have completed their 2022 Formula 3 line-up, announcing that British racer Ayrton Simmons will join László Tóth and Francesco Pizzi at the Czech squad.

Simmons debuted in F3 with Charouz in the season finale at Sochi last year, finishing 24th and 21st in his first round. The 20-year-old debuted on the back of a season in GB3, where he finished as runner-up to Carlin rookie Zak O’Sullivan.

Simmons won four times and finished on the podium on five occasions, before making the step up to F3.

“I’m very grateful to Antonín and the whole Charouz Racing System team for this opportunity,” said Simmons. “Having my first full season in the FIA Formula 3 will be a demanding and exciting challenge for me, I can't wait to get back behind the wheel and try immediately to find a good feeling with the Dallara in order to start off on the right foot from the first race in Bahrain.

“It will be interesting to race against some of the best young drivers in the world and to race on legendary tracks like those on the calendar, especially at Silverstone which will be my home race. A good result there would be a dream, but we’ll obviously try to give our best in every round and take every opportunity to end in the top positions.”

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Arriving with six years’ of single-seater experience under his belt, Simmons’ junior career to date has mostly been spent in Britain, which includes title challenges in British F4 in 2018 and in BRDC British F3 – the predecessor to GB3 – in 2019.

The 20-year-old has also previously competed in Asian F3 and in the opening nine races of the 2020 Euroformula Open Championship.

Team owner Antonín Charouz added: “It’s a pleasure for us to be able to continue to have Ayrton in the team after last year’s positive debut, a first experience that I’m sure will be of enormous value for him as he approaches this new and demanding season.

“With his reconfirmation, our Formula 3 team can now count on three drivers of undoubted talent and potential, with whom we’ll aim to get into the points from the very first races. The guys are already working really hard to prepare for the first test sessions, we’ll do everything possible to make the most of the three days at our disposal and get to the first round in the right conditions to show a good level of competitiveness.”