Debutant Hoggard ‘as prepared as I can be’ despite lack of competitive action in 2021

Signed by Jenzer Motorsport with just a week to prepare for Le Castellet, after a period away from racing, Johnathan Hoggard will be leaning heavily on the two days he spent with the Swiss team in the 2020 post-season test at Barcelona.

Hoggard ran in all four days of Formula 3 post-season testing last year, but then missed the entirety of pre-season and was unable to secure a seat for the 2021 campaign.

The British racer – who impressed with 10th in Free Practice – had not driven competitively in 2021 ahead of his F3 debut, but is aware that he needs to get up to speed swiftly if he’s to impress his new suitors.

“Everything came together quite quickly,” said Hoggard. “I wasn't doing too much at the start of the year unfortunately, but this is a great opportunity. I am ready to get going and work hard at it.

“I know the team really well from the post-season test in Barcelona, where we had a really good two days. So, there are no issues trying to learn a new team or anything like that. I have fitted in quite nicely and we are just solely focused on doing the job this weekend.”

Despite a lack of track time in 2021 and the fact he has never previously driven at Le Castellet, Hoggard says he feels as prepared as he can be for competitive action, having put in plenty of work behind the scenes since signing.

“I have managed to do a lot of sim work, as well as a lot of preparation with my engineers, just to get me ready ahead of this weekend,” continued Hoggard. “I am as prepared as I can be. I have never driven here before, so that is a challenge. It’s going to be tough, but I have done as much as possible to be able to prepare.

“The goal is just to do as well as I can do. I want to be at the sharp end, maybe try and challenge for the top 12 in Qualifying, but I know that is going to be really tough. I haven't really got too many expectations. I think it will be a case of doing as well as I can do, and hopefully the results will come.”