Press

Back 2019-01-02 GT champion joins BlackArts Racing for F3 Asian Winter Series—First Female Driver in Asian F3

BlackArts Racing (BAR) is pleased to announce that it will start the 2019 FIA certified F3 Asian Winter Series with a highly talented, three-time touring car champion from Hungary, Vivien Keszthelyi.



Despite her young age, 18 year old Vivien Keszthelyi has proven several times that she has exceptional skills, and BAR is proud to help her take another step ahead in her career with her foray into formula racing. Unlike most pilots, Vivien did not learn the basics of racing on the kart track or in different formula car series. Rather, her career began at the age of 12, and she started racing in the FIA certified Swift Cup Europe from which she reached the Grand Touring category in just 5 years. Throughout the past three years as the only female member of the Audi Racing Academy, she has collected no less than three championship titles while gaining extremely valuable experience.



As the youngest three-time touring car champion in the world, she collected her latest title last year in the GT4 Audi Sport R8 LMS Cup, where she became champion of the rookie category. The Hungarian driver decided to change from touring car to formula racing because of the launch of the new W Series, and the uncertainty caused by the unexpected changes in DTM, the top class of Grand Touring, which was her long term goal: “After the establishment of the W series, I had to consider which way I wanted my career to proceed. I just turned 18 years old, so I am still young enough to gain experience with formula cars, which will be essential for me to reach the top level of both the grand touring and the formula categories. Mastering the driving technique will be one of the biggest challenges of my career, as I do not have history in formula racing, and I will have to learn how to drive the Formula 3 racing car virtually from the basics. However, I must not wait to gain experience with rear-wheel driven, and in particular, formula cars, because I only have a chance to move on with my career if I collect those experiences as soon as possible. “



Commenting on joining BAR, Vivien added: “I was really impressed and happy with the goals and the motivation of BlackArts Racing, and they assured me that every member of the team will work hard to help my development and that they will provide everything I need to succeed. I am really excited to join BlackArts Racing, the team that is striving for the same goal as mine and I know I can truly benefit from it.”



Team Principal of the BAR, Bill O’Brien, added: “Vivien has shown excellent potential. She has both the intellect and the aggression required to succeed in motorsports. BAR is proud to be the first team in Asian F3 to field a top female driver.”



The three, triple-header rounds will begin on January 13 2019 at Thailand’s Buriram International Circuit where the championship will make its debut, followed by a further two rounds at a second Asian FIA Grade 1 track, Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit, on January 20 and February 24.



For more details: contact@blackartsracing.com