GB3 Championship confirms major Tatuus car upgrades for 2022
MSV will introduce a raft of major upgrades to the GB3 Championship car for the 2022 season onwards to enhance both the performance and its safety standards.
MSV’s existing partner Tatuus will supply a completely new chassis, the Tatuus MSV-022, incorporating the halo, improved side-impact protection, revisions to the roll hoop, headrest, front anti-intrusion panel, seat and fuel cell areas.
A new aerodynamics package will feature a completely revised underfloor, diffuser, skid block, keel and bib, plus changes to the side pods, radiator ducts, damper cover and engine cover. Downforce levels will be increased significantly over the current car, though the existing proven and highly efficient front and rear wing components will remain to avoid unnecessary expenditure.
To complement the increased aerodynamic performance will be an upgraded specification for the highly rated two litre, four cylinder normally aspirated Mountune engine, to enable the unit to now produce over 250bhp at 8500 rpm, a 20bhp increase on the current specification. As a consequence of the power hike the new car will feature a side air-intake and carbon airbox similar to earlier generation F3 cars, and a switch to a fly-by-wire port throttle inlet manifold system.
Most other well proven parts of the car, such as the Sadev gearbox, suspension, brakes and electronics will remain unchanged, so teams will be able to continue working with the outstandingly reliable and popular technical package. The carry-over of many of the key mechanical components of the car also means that teams can start winter testing with their current cars, and still achieve meaningful mileage.
Crucially, the new upgrades will ensure the 2022 specification car retains the lightweight, nimble and responsive handling characteristics and super-responsive normally aspirated engine that have been praised by drivers since the current chassis was introduced. The addition of the halo is expected to add only around 12kg to the weight of the cars, which will be more than compensated for by the increase in aerodynamic performance and power.
Deliveries of the new upgrade packages are scheduled to commence by November, and all teams are expected to have at least two complete upgrade kits by Christmas.
MSV Chief Executive Jonathan Palmer commented: “The introduction of the new chassis and other elements of the upgrade package to the GB3 Championship will ensure that the series strengthens its position as the UK’s leading single-seater championship for many years to come.
“We’re delighted to continue our partnership with Tatuus. Gianfranco De Bellis and his team has done an outstanding job since we started working with them in 2015, and they’ve again produced an exceptional cost-effective upgrade that meets current safety requirements, while also ensuring the car retains the reliability and parity that has made the championship so popular.
“Our teams are unanimous in their support of the upgrade, and its introduction will ensure that the GB3 Championship continues to attract Europe’s top young driving talent for its unrivalled value for money, performance and technical equality.”
For more championship information visit www.gb-3.net.