Simmons replaces Yeany for season finale at Sochi

Charouz Racing System have signed Ayrton Simmons to replace Hunter Yeany for the season finale at Sochi, with the team announcing that the British driver will team up with Logan Sargeant and Zdenek Chovanec.

Yeany is unable to compete in Sochi due to prior commitments in the US. The American had been set to complete the season with Charouz at Austin, before the change of date and venue.

He will be replaced by 20-year-old Simmons, who will make his Formula 3 debut in Russia, stepping up from the GB3 Championship, where he is fourth in the drivers’ standings.

Simmons was the 2018 British Formula 4 vice-champion, and also has experience in Euroformula Open and Asian F3.

“I’m really looking forward to racing with Charouz Racing System," said Simmons. "I want to thank the team and also my sponsors for giving me this opportunity e getting me to Sochi.

"I’ve never driven the car before and never driven with Pirelli tyres so it’s probably going to be difficult at first to get used to everything having limited track time, but we’ll try to learn as much as possible, and I’ll make sure I’ll be as well-prepared as I can to deliver the best possible result."

Simmons will join a Charouz outfit who are enjoying their best season to date at this level, with four podiums and 100 points.

Team owner Antonín Charouz added: “I’m sorry that Hunter will not be able to finish the season with us, but unfortunately the change in the calendar was necessary to allow all the teams to manage the participation in the last round of the championship and there was no way to reconcile this change with his other commitments in the US.

"However, I’m happy that Ayrton was available to answer the call and take his seat, he is a promising driver who already has a few years of experience and I’m sure he will get up to speed in no time once in the car at Sochi."