German car racing newcomer Jusuf Owega has been confirmed as Hillspeed’s second driver signing for the 2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, where the Derbyshire team will run a capacity three-car entry.



Owega, who originates from Cologne, will arrive in the UK’s premier single-seater championship as a total car racing novice having spent the past four years karting in his native Germany, with additional outings in the CIK-FIA European and World Championships.



Having tested with Hillspeed in recent weeks, the teenager faces a more extensive pre-season programme in the coming months ahead of his British F3 race debut. This will actually come during the second race meeting, at Rockingham on 28/29 April, as Owega doesn’t celebrate his 16th birthday – the minimum age to compete in F3 – until after the first event.



Delighted to have secured the team’s second driver signing for the new season just two days after confirming Canadian racer Ben Hurst, Hillspeed Team Principal Richard Ollerenshaw is confident former kart racer Owega will make strong progress as the championship unfolds.



“We’re very happy to be able to confirm Jusuf will race with Hillspeed in 2018 for his first season in cars,” said Ollerenshaw. “Everyone gelled nicely when he sampled the F3 car with the team during the latter part of last year, so we’re all looking forward to building on those foundations and making good progress.



“He’s a talented young driver and while there’s a lot to learn with the step up from karts to F3, the transition isn’t as difficult as it may seem – especially with the driver development Hillspeed has always prided itself on. We’ll be returning to a full three-car entry for 2018, so to secure our first two driver signings so soon after the New Year is just the start we wanted.”



Beginning his career in Bambini karting in Germany in 2014, Owega ended his maiden season sixth in the standings and then progressed to the German Junior Kart Championship, ADAC Kart Masters – where he was fourth in KFJ – and the South Garda Winter Cup.



Graduating into the CIK-FIA World Junior Championship with the KSM Schumacher Racing Team in 2016, Owega dovetailed those commitments with outings in the CIK-FIA European Championship and the ADAC Kart Masters, taking third overall in the latter – an impressive season for the German.



Speaking on his move into Formula 3 in the UK, the youngster said: “I’m looking forward to beginning my career in cars with Hillspeed in British F3, it’s a very prestigious championship with great history and Hillspeed is a top team. I can’t wait for pre-season testing to get underway and I look forward to learning the UK tracks, hopefully we’ll make strong progress during the year.”