The GB3 Championship heads to Zandvoort for the first time later this season (14-15 October), and a number of this year’s contenders took advantage of the break between the Oulton Park season opener and the Silverstone rounds at the start of May, to sample the Dutch Grand Prix venue for the first time in testing this week.

Drivers from Arden VRD, Elite Motorsport, Hitech Pulse-Eight and Hillspeed all took to the 2.6-mile circuit on the Dutch coast, and the venue, complete with iconic banked corners, left a big impression.

“To be honest, I think it’s my new favourite track!” reigning British F4 champion Alex Dunne reported. “The mix of high speed flowing corners combined with the banking is really cool, and with the downforce of this car it really suits the track. “The main thing that stands out is probably the banking, especially in turn three, it’s really quite steep.”

Oulton Park race-winner James Hedley was another to drive the layout for the first time. “The circuit is mega” said the Arden VRD driver. “It feels really fast and definitely the most physical to drive. “The track is so unique because of the banked corners, and the racing is going to be interesting towards the end with high tyre degradation.”

Drivers reported quick lap times too, with laps in the sum 1m30s bracket expected when GB3 returns to the venue for the penultimate rounds, alongside the GT World Challenge, in October.

The addition of the Zandvoort round has elevated GB3 to FIA International Series status, with the championship now having two overseas rounds, including the traditional trip to Spa at the start of June.