Ginetta Junior runner-up Hugo Schwarze will graduate to single-seaters in 2024, as he remains with Elite Motorsport for his first campaign in the GB3 Championship.

The 17-year-old from Cologne only began karting in 2022 yet finished a very impressive second place in last year’s Ginetta Junior Championship, his first season of car racing. He scored 11 outright and 14 Rookie podiums last season, including two overall wins, with only one non-finish in the 27-race series. 

Schwarze tested the GB3 car at Circuito de Navarra and Silverstone last year, eager to learn how to drive high downforce cars for the first time.

Elite Motorsport has achieved 20 podiums in GB3, including six wins, since joining the category in 2021, finishing in the top-five over the past three years in the Teams’ Championship. Schwarze joins series returnees McKenzy Cresswell and Jarrod Waberski in the Norfolk squad’s three-car line-up.

Hugo Schwarze said: “My aim is to go as far as I possibly can in single-seaters which is why I’ve chosen to race in GB3. The series has proven to be very competitive and a stepping stone for higher single-seater championships which is also my aim. It was quite a late decision to do Ginetta Juniors last year but after my first tests, it was clear that we were going to be running at the front. Due to it being only my second season in motorsport, I had a lot to catch up on in terms of race craft compared to the other drivers."

“I progressed throughout the season with Elite, working hard with the entire team. I am ready to continue my steep learning curve in what will be a tough but I’m sure an exciting year. Consistent top results helped me to become last year’s Ginetta Junior vice-champion, in the most competitive junior one-make championship. I had a successful year with Elite and I’m hoping to build on that. The team, which already feels like family for me, doesn’t only provide a comfortable learning environment, but is also ambitious to get the best out of me.”

Team Owner and Manager Eddie Ives said: “I’m extremely happy to announce that Hugo is continuing with Elite Motorsport and moving up the motorsport ladder with us. It’s something we’ve been working on since last August when he had his first run in our GB3 car. Although he doesn’t have much experience in car racing, he is a natural and is great to work with."

“Everyone at Elite is looking forward to developing his driving and teaching him as much as we can in the GB3 car. Hugo’s progress will also benefit from his team-mates McKenzy Cresswell and Jarrod Waberski who are both experienced in the category. We’re thrilled to be working with this trio in 2024.”