John Bennett has finished as 2024 GB3 Championship vice champion with a sensational double podium performance on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this past weekend (28/29 September).
The Salisbury-based single-seater talent made the trip to the historic 2.4-mile circuit in Kent determined to give it everything to secure the coveted GB3 drivers’ title. With three race wins and nine podium finishes already to his name from a hugely-competitive season, Bennett and the JHR Developments squad had eyes set firmly on doing all they could to overturn the 33 point gap in their pursuit of the ultimate crown. In this quest, he was to give the large Brands Hatch crowd an absolutely scintillating end to the season.
Making his intentions clear from the off, Bennett clocked the fastest time of anyone in free practice on Saturday morning. That pace translated to the crucial outing against the clock later that morning in qualifying, running as a consistent contender for top spot through the 20-minute session. His best lap missed pole by just 2/100ths second, but still got him on the front row for the opening fight of the weekend.
A strong start in race one later that afternoon gave him the shot of taking the lead into Paddock Hill Bend but he was forced to fall into line back behind Mckenzy Cresswell. Pushing the leader as hard as possible, Bennett posted an amazing fastest lap that ultimately secured him the Sunoco Fastest Driver Award for the weekend, with another podium finish to his tally helping trim the points deficit to just 19 with two races left on Sunday.
Starting third for race two the following morning, Bennett went on the attack immediately to catch his main title rival, Louis Sharp. A great getaway when the lights went out propelled the British driver up into second spot, right on the rear wing of Sharp, and he piled on the pressure in a high-intensity battle. Hounding him all the way to the chequered flag, the second-place finish kept the fight going to the very final outing of the season.
Out-qualifying Sharp on Saturday meant that Bennett had to start behind him for the reverse-grid finale. After a great launch off the line, Bennett battled wheel-to-wheel with his rival through the first three turns of lap one, giving the crowd a heart-stopping performance before finally pulling off the move with a bold, daring sweep around the outside exiting Graham Hill Bend.
After an early safety car interruption, Bennett immediately went to attack the next driver up, Tymek Kucharczyk. Getting the crowd on the edge of their seats as he attempted to pass the Polish driver around the outside of Druids, he showed his determination right to the very end of the race.
Ending the final race in ninth place was enough for Bennett to secure second place in the overall Drivers’ Championship, after a stellar season with 11 podiums to his name and playing a key role in giving the spectators a memorable conclusion to arguably one of the strongest and most talented GB3 seasons of all-time.
John Bennett: “We pretty much did all that we could this weekend! Achieving the most points of anyone across the event, securing the fastest driver award and pulling off that overtake on Louis [Sharp], was about as much as I could do.
“Although ultimately it wasn't enough to take the championship home, it was a great finish to the season. I am proud to have secured vice champion status against two of the best young drivers in the world in Sharp and Kucharczyk, and to have ended the season with joint-highest total of podium finishes. All three of us can look back with pride at how hard we fought and look forward to racing each other in the future.
"Thank you so much to all my supporters and family, also to JHR Developments for giving me such a great car to compete with and for being such a brilliant team! This season sets the springboard for my next step up the motorsport ladder. The FIA Formula 3 Championship is the dream for 2025, and I'll be doing all I can to be on the F3 grid for next season!”
Image from Jakob Ebrey Photography.
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