The third round of the GB3 Championship, the continuation of the former British F3 Series, took place on the majestic Spa-Francorchamps circuit. In this environment as competitive as it is international, Laval resident Arthur Rogeon faced up to the quirks of technology and the mid-field in Belgium. Despite these obstacles which hampered his progress, he did the best he could in terms of results culminating with 8th place in race 3.
 

The first three meetings of the GB3 Championship have been run almost exclusively in the wet. At Oulton Park, two of the three races took place in pouring rain. At Silverstone, the third race had to be canceled due to apocalyptic weather conditions and only race 3 took place on a dry track at Spa. We know that Arthur is capable of the best in these conditions, but we’re still hoping to soon see a patch of blue sky. And what is valid for the weather is also valid for the progression of the Rodin Motorsports driver who really deserves a break!
 

At Spa his performance in free practice was nothing to worry about as he set the fifth and fourth quickest times in the first two sessions run in the rain. The return of a dry track in qualifying corresponded to the start of Arthur’s difficulties as he was hoping for better than his 13th and 9th places on the grid. “Looking at the data, I didn't make a big mistake here or there, I just lacked rhythm. A little later on, the team detected a braking problem, which seemed to have manifested itself before qualifying when the weather changed. It was all the stranger as the system had been refurbished following my issues at Silverstone.” Sometimes, maybe you just have to believe in bad luck!
 

Arthur gained four places during the 8 laps of race 1 but his 9th place became 15th for exceeding track limits in the Raidillon. “Honestly, looking at my on-board videos to check, it’s contentious, but you can’t appeal such a penalty. Given the benefit of the doubt, I would have accepted 5 seconds, but I didn't understand why they added 10 more for a fourth offense when we see on the video that one of my wheels touches the curb.”

Race 2 saw Arthur finish in 9th place which he already occupied on the grid. “My brake problem became more acute, I couldn't slow the car down enough in corners, so I was losing speed on the reacceleration, and no matter what I did I was overtaken on the next straight.”
 

Thanks to a finish in eighth position and a leap of five places despite two neutralisations, race 3 produced the best result of the weekend, but it also left Arthur with some regrets. “The podium was within my reach, but a driver hit my rear wheel first time through the La Source hairpin. I did the whole race without any traction; the car didn't turn the same way left or right and I was suffering wheel spin out of the corners. I thought I was going to lose a wheel on the last lap!”
 

Arthur is eagerly awaiting his first podium in 2024, but despite the obstacles, his start to the season represents real progress compared to 2023: he currently lies ninth in the championship and hopes for improvement if he can get the monkey off his back! See you at the Hungaroring on 22 and 23 June.