Douglas Motorsport have signed UAE Formula 4 and MRF Challenge front-runner Manaf Hijjawi as their second driver for the 2020 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, with the teenage talent set to become the first ever Jordanian driver to race in British junior single-seater competition.



Following a stellar karting career that included winning both the UAE and Jordan championships on two occasions as well as the Dubai O Plate, the 18-year-old launched his single-seater career late last year and has already starred with a podium finish in each of his first three race meetings.



Debuting in the MRF Challenge, Hijjawi has picked up silverware in both Dubai and Bahrain, while he has also impressed on the big stage in support of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, securing a second place finish on his first outing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship.



Hijjawi is Douglas Motorsport’s second confirmed driver for the 2020 BRDC British F3 season alongside the returning Kiern Jewiss. When he makes his debut in April, the Corby-based team will have run drivers of 17 different nationalities since their formation in 2012.



Douglas Motorsport Team Principal Wayne Douglas commented: "We’re delighted to welcome Manaf to Douglas Motorsport for the 2020 BRDC British F3 Championship. He’s shown in UAE F4 and MRF that he has huge talent and the potential to succeed in his motorsport career.



“Racing in a new country whilst learning a new car and a host of new circuits is going to be a huge challenge for him, so as a team we will be working hard to support him this year and give him everything he needs to achieve his goals for the season.”



Manaf Hijjawi added: “I’ve always looked up to a series like the BRDC British F3 Championship. The anticipation is definitely building now that it’s official and pre-season testing is only a month away. It will be great to meet everyone in the team and drive the car for the first time.



“It’s going to be my first full season in formula racing, so I'll be doing everything possible to make the preparation for it the best it can be. There's a lot to learn and I'm confident a very strong season is possible with a team such as Douglas Motorsport supporting me.”



Douglas Motorsport have been mainstays of the championship since its inception in 2016, having also competed in its predecessor, BRDC F4. Race-winners in each of the four seasons to date, their former racers include Jamie Chadwick, Enaam Ahmed and Tom Randle.