JHR Developments will return to the GB3 Championship for the 2026 season finale at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, fielding a two-car line-up featuring Lewis Wherrell and Thomas Ingram Hill. Both drivers will make their GB3 debuts during the 7–8 November weekend, stepping up from successful campaigns in British F4 and GB4 respectively.
The Derbyshire-based outfit will make its first GB3 appearance of the season, returning to a championship in which it previously secured the 2023 Teams’ title. Wherrell continues his association with JHR following a race-winning British F4 campaign, while Ingram Hill joins after finishing fourth in the 2026 GB4 Drivers’ Championship with Fortec Motorsports.
Their participation will provide an opportunity to gain experience in more powerful single-seater machinery as both drivers evaluate their next steps on the junior racing ladder.
Wherrell progresses to GB3 after competitive British F4 campaign
Wherrell will make his GB3 debut following an impressive rookie season in British F4, where he established himself as one of the championship’s leading contenders. The 16-year-old secured three victories and ten podium finishes during his first full campaign, ultimately finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship with 267 points.
His breakthrough came at Snetterton, where he secured two victories during a dominant weekend for JHR. Wherrell converted pole position into victory in Race 1 before holding off Adam Al Azhari to win the final contest. Teammate Timo Jüngling claimed the reverse-grid victory, completing a clean sweep for the team.
Wherrell continued that momentum at Silverstone, securing his third victory and moving into the championship lead ahead of Dries Van Langendonck. Although he subsequently lost ground during the middle of the season, he remained involved in the title battle until the closing rounds.
The British driver eventually finished third behind Van Langendonck and Theo Palmer, while also securing runner-up honours in the Rookie Cup.
His move to GB3 therefore represents a natural progression after demonstrating race-winning pace throughout his debut British F4 campaign.
Wherrell welcomes opportunity to continue with JHR
Remaining with JHR Developments will provide valuable continuity for Wherrell as he adapts to the increased performance demands of GB3. Having worked closely with the team’s engineers and mechanics throughout 2026, the British driver will benefit from an established working relationship during his first weekend in the championship.
That familiarity could prove particularly important at Barcelona, where he will have limited time to adapt to the Tatuus MSV GB3-025 before qualifying and racing against more experienced competitors.
Wherrell expressed his enthusiasm for continuing with the team while acknowledging the challenges associated with his progression.
“I can’t wait to make my GB3 Championship debut, especially with JHR. We’ve had a brilliant season together in British F4, so having the opportunity to take this next step with a team I know so well makes it even more exciting.”
Rather than setting specific finishing targets, Wherrell intends to concentrate on gaining experience and improving throughout the weekend.
“Moving up to GB3 will be a new challenge and there will be plenty to learn, but I’m looking forward to getting to grips with the car in Barcelona. My focus will be on learning as much as possible, building throughout the weekend and making the most of the opportunity. I’m excited to see what we can achieve together.”
Ingram Hill steps up after strong GB4 season
Ingram Hill joins JHR Developments following two seasons in GB4, during which he developed into a regular contender for podium finishes and race victories. The British driver previously competed in Ginetta Junior and made selected British F4 appearances before concentrating on GB4 competition.
Having finished sixth in the 2025 Drivers’ Championship, Ingram Hill returned with Fortec Motorsports for 2026 and demonstrated considerable progress. His most significant breakthrough came during the second Silverstone weekend, where he secured his maiden pole position before claiming his first championship victory.
After contact with Fred Green compromised his opening race, Ingram Hill recovered to win Race 2 at Silverstone. He overtook Green at the opening corner and subsequently controlled the race, securing an important milestone in his single-seater career.
His qualifying performances continued improving throughout the championship, including setting the fastest time during the official Brands Hatch test.
Ingram Hill eventually finished fourth in the final GB4 standings with 338 points, just three behind Hillspeed’s Enzo Hallman. His late-season performances highlighted the progress he had made, providing a foundation for his move into GB3 machinery.
Ingram Hill prioritises experience ahead of potential 2027 step
For Ingram Hill, the Barcelona weekend represents an opportunity to evaluate the demands of GB3 while continuing his development after a competitive GB4 campaign.
Although he has gained experience across several junior racing categories, the transition will introduce significantly greater aerodynamic performance and power. He will also need to adapt to a new team environment, having spent the previous season working with Fortec Motorsports.
Ingram Hill acknowledged the size of the challenge while expressing his appreciation for the opportunity.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to make my GB3 debut in Barcelona at the final round of the championship. It’s a big step up from GB4 – more power, more downforce and a really strong field – so I’m going in with my feet on the ground.”
The British driver also emphasised that gaining mileage will take priority over immediate results, with the weekend providing an opportunity to prepare for his future racing plans.
“The main goal is mileage in preparation for next year. I want to get as many laps under my belt as I can, learn from every session and lean on the team’s experience to understand the car properly. I’m looking forward to the weekend!”
His approach reflects the importance of familiarisation during a first GB3 appearance, particularly against drivers who have already completed seven championship rounds.
JHR Developments returns to championship with proven record
JHR Developments’ return marks the resumption of a programme that previously enjoyed considerable success in GB3. The Derbyshire outfit first competed in the championship in 2020 before establishing a full-season presence in 2022.
The team’s breakthrough came in 2023, when it secured the GB3 Teams’ Championship following a competitive campaign featuring Joseph Loake, Matthew Rees and David Morales. Five race victories and consistent performances allowed JHR to finish 94 points ahead of its nearest rivals.
JHR remained competitive in 2024, with John Bennett securing three victories and finishing runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship. However, the team endured a more challenging 2025 season following the introduction of revised GB3 machinery, completing the campaign without a race victory.
After sitting out the opening seven rounds of 2026, JHR will now return with two drivers progressing from lower categories. The Barcelona appearance provides an opportunity to resume its involvement in the championship while supporting Wherrell and Ingram Hill through an important stage of their development.
Team Principal Steven Hunter welcomed the team’s return and highlighted his expectations for both drivers.
“We’re very pleased to be back on the GB3 Championship grid and to be fielding two really exciting prospects for the season finale in Barcelona. Lewis has had a stellar season with us in British F4, winning multiple races and challenging for the championship in his debut season. I’m equally excited to see how Thomas gets on in the GB3 car after his season in GB4.”
Barcelona presents demanding introduction to GB3 machinery
Both drivers will make their debuts in the Tatuus MSV GB3-025, introduced at the beginning of the 2025 championship. The car represents a substantial increase in performance compared with the machinery used in British F4 and GB4, particularly through its aerodynamic capabilities.
The current GB3 chassis features a revised aerodynamic package, approximately 35% more downforce than the previous-generation GB3 car and an additional 30bhp. It also incorporates a Drag Reduction System (DRS), introducing another element for drivers to understand during qualifying and racing.
The 2026 GB3 Championship retains its three-race weekend structure, with two qualifying sessions determining the starting grids for the opening contests. The third race features a reversed grid based on the combined qualifying classification, creating different challenges throughout the weekend.
Barcelona’s combination of high-speed corners, technical braking zones and demanding tyre management will provide an important test for both newcomers.
While Wherrell can draw upon his existing relationship with JHR, Ingram Hill brings previous experience of the circuit and the broader junior racing environment. Nevertheless, both drivers will need to adapt quickly to the increased performance of their new machinery.
JHR return coincides with decisive GB3 championship finale
JHR’s arrival comes during a closely contested conclusion to the 2026 GB3 season, with four drivers remaining mathematically capable of winning the Drivers’ Championship.
VRD Racing’s Nikita Bedrin leads the standings with 445 points, holding an 89-point advantage over Hitech’s Deagen Fairclough. Xcel Motorsport’s Lucas Fluxá follows on 355 points, while Rodin Motorsport’s Martin Molnar remains in contention with 351.
A maximum of 102 points remains available across the final three races, meaning the title battle will continue into Barcelona.
The championship fight intensified during the penultimate round at Brands Hatch, where Fairclough secured two victories before Fluxá won the reversed-grid finale. Meanwhile, Bedrin’s penalty in the final race prevented him from securing the title ahead of the season finale.
The Barcelona weekend will also feature several new entries and drivers stepping up from other categories. TJ Speed Motorsports will make its GB3 debut, while GB4 competitor Matan Achituv joins Arden Motorsport.
For JHR, the expanded field and ongoing championship battles will provide a competitive environment in which to assess its returning programme.
Wherrell and Ingram Hill prepare for first GB3 appearances
The 2026 GB3 season finale will provide an important opportunity for both Wherrell and Ingram Hill to gain experience in machinery representing the next stage of the junior single-seater pathway.
Wherrell arrives following a successful British F4 campaign in which he challenged for the championship and demonstrated consistent race-winning potential. Meanwhile, Ingram Hill brings momentum from his strongest GB4 season to date, having secured his maiden victory and narrowly missed a top-three championship finish.
Their contrasting backgrounds will provide JHR Developments with two promising drivers as the team resumes its GB3 operations. However, with neither having previously competed in the championship, the immediate focus will remain on learning and building confidence throughout the weekend.
Both drivers will now prepare for the final round at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 7–8 November, where JHR Developments will make its return to the GB3 grid after a season away.
