Nikita Bedrin launched his 2026 GB3 Championship campaign in commanding fashion at Silverstone. From the outset, he demonstrated why many tipped him as a pre-season favourite. During Saturday’s opening Qualifying session, he surged to pole position with a stunning 1m50.123 lap, immediately setting a new benchmark at the iconic circuit.
Soon after, he returned to the track for the second session with even greater intent. Benefiting from fresh tyres and a lighter fuel load, Bedrin pushed the limits further and delivered a remarkable 1m49.402 lap. Consequently, he shattered the previous Qualifying record by more than 2.2 seconds, underlining his dominance at the series opener.
Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup: Nikita Bedrin
Despite encountering slow starts in both opening races, Bedrin maintained composure under pressure. Crucially, he fought back to convert each pole position into race victories. As a result, he secured an early lead in the championship standings and established himself as the driver to beat.
Moreover, his double pole success placed him firmly at the top of the Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup standings. With two poles already secured, he also collected £600 in prize money, reinforcing his strong start to the season.
The Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup continues to play a vital role in recognising qualifying excellence within the GB3 Championship. Since its introduction in 2013, the award has celebrated drivers who consistently deliver top performances over a single lap.
Each pole position earns £300, while the overall winner receives £2,000 at the end of the season. In addition, the winning driver’s team also claims a £2,000 prize. Notably, John Cavill presents the awards at each round, maintaining a long-standing family tradition of supporting emerging motorsport talent.
Sunoco Fastest Driver of the Weekend: Fairclough finds redemption with record lap
While Bedrin dominated the headlines, Deagen Fairclough ensured his own performance did not go unnoticed. Although he fell short of his desired race results, he ended the weekend on a high by claiming the Sunoco Fastest Driver of the Weekend Award.
During race two, Fairclough delivered an exceptional lap of 1m50.059, which not only secured the award but also broke a long-standing GB3 race lap record. Impressively, this time eclipsed the previous record by over 2.7 seconds, marking a significant achievement.
Interestingly, Fairclough’s effort capped a weekend of increasingly rapid lap times. Earlier, another driver had already dipped below the old record with a 1m50.345 lap in race one. Subsequently, race three winner Jin Nakamura also posted a quick 1m50.557 lap.
Therefore, the Silverstone event highlighted the rapid evolution of performance within the series, as multiple drivers pushed beyond previously established limits.
Momentum builds for the season ahead
As the championship moves forward, Bedrin carries strong momentum after a near-perfect opening weekend. Meanwhile, Fairclough’s record-breaking pace suggests he will remain a key contender once results align with speed.
Ultimately, Silverstone provided an early glimpse of an intensely competitive GB3 season. With both qualifying brilliance and race pace reaching new heights, the stage is now set for further thrilling battles in the rounds to come.
