Arden Motorsport graduate Leon Wilson is ready to take the next step in his racing career, moving up from GB4 to GB3 in 2026. The 17-year-old British driver has been part of the Banbury-based team since his car racing debut in 2024, rising through the Arden Young Racing Driver Academy and impressing with his pace and maturity on track.
After two seasons with the squad and a successful 2025 GB4 campaign that included multiple victories, Wilson has already started preparing for life in the Tatuus MSV GB3-025, determined to translate his previous success into strong performances in the next tier of British single-seaters.
Reflecting on a promising GB4 season
Wilson ended his second GB4 season on a high note with a win at the Donington Park finale, an achievement that capped a year of growth and learning. Looking back, he was proud of his progress but acknowledged there were frustrations along the way.
“I’m really excited,” the young driver enthused. “Obviously it’s been a good season in GB4 with a few wins. It was a shame to finish where we did in the championship because we had the pace to fight for the title, but struggled at the start of the year. But overall it’s looking to be a really exciting season ahead with the changes to the GB3 car.”
The comment underscores Wilson’s optimism as he looks forward to stepping up to a faster, more technically demanding car, while also reflecting on the lessons learned from a campaign that combined victories with missed opportunities.
Confidence from staying with Arden Motorsport
One of Wilson’s biggest advantages as he graduates to GB3 is his continuity with Arden Motorsport. Having been nurtured by the team since his karting days and through the Young Racing Driver Academy, he feels confident heading into a new challenge.
“I’m really happy to stay with Arden, obviously knowing all of the team helps me with confidence, and we know how we get the car in the window and how we like to run it.”
“I think it’ll be a big benefit to me as I’ve been with them since I started racing, so there’s a long standing relationship with all of the team members. It couldn’t have been done without my sponsor Kingston Carton and my whole family who keep pushing me.”
Wilson’s comment highlights the importance of familiarity and trust within a racing team, particularly as he transitions to a higher-performance car where small details in setup and communication can make a significant difference on track.
Adapting to the GB3 car
Early testing in the GB3 car has already revealed the challenges Wilson will face, particularly in adapting his driving style to handle the additional downforce and power compared to GB4 machinery.
“It’s a big step up, the GB3 car has a lot more downforce and power so I have to drive it differently to the GB4. I’ve had a really good experience in the car so far. The set up has been good already but we just need to keep pushing and getting the pace up as quickly as possible to fight for the championship.”
Graduation to GB3 confirmed
While Wilson’s progression to GB3 had been anticipated for some time, a late-summer test confirmed that he was ready to take the next step.
“I think we always knew that we had to make the step up to GB3 but I wanted to see how quick I’d be in the test we did. I was quicker than the drivers that were in the team at that moment, so I think from then on we knew it was the next step up.”
His strong performance in testing demonstrated both speed and adaptability, ensuring that the move was based on merit and readiness rather than simply expectation.
Silverstone awaits for GB3 debut
Wilson will make his GB3 debut at Silverstone next April, but he came close to entering at the Monza finale a few weeks ago, almost following in the footsteps of his GB4 rival Isaac Phelps.
“We were hoping to do the same, but it was a little bit last minute for us and there weren’t many seats available. Isaac did really well and a big congratulations to him. “I felt that we could have been quick at Monza if we had entered, based on where the drivers in the team I tested with were in the qualifying and races.”
Despite missing that opportunity, Wilson remains upbeat and realistic about the challenges ahead.
“It’s obviously going to be a tough season especially after seeing the drivers in it last season, but I think I’m confident going into the championship.”
With the combination of experience in GB4, continuity with Arden Motorsport, and early familiarity with the GB3 car, Leon Wilson enters 2026 ready to learn, adapt, and compete at the next level. His confidence, combined with his proven work ethic and a strong support network, sets the stage for what could be an impactful rookie season in GB3.
