Deagen Fairclough claimed his first GB3 Championship victory of the 2026 season after passing home favourite Martin Molnar at Turn 1 and controlling Race 1 at the Hungaroring.
The Hitech driver lost his early advantage when a Safety Car brought the field back together, but he managed the restart cleanly and held off championship leader Nikita Bedrin to win by 0.802s. Maxim Rehm completed the podium for Rodin Motorsport after charging from ninth on the grid.
Fairclough thanks Hitech after long-awaited return to the top step in 2026 GB3 Race 1 at the Hungaroring
Fairclough had shown strong pace throughout the weekend, and the result finally gave him a race win after several near-misses earlier in the campaign. Speaking in parc fermé, he immediately credited Hitech for the work behind his breakthrough result, particularly in the demanding Hungaroring heat.
“Yes, I mean, this weekend has been really strong, and I’ve just got to say a massive thank you to the boys at High Tech. They’ve been pushing so hard and working so hard, and especially in this heat. Yes, it was good. Finally, we’re on that top step. It’s been a long time, and that’s good points in the Championship, and we’ve got a comeback to bring now.”
The win gives Fairclough an important points haul after a strong but slightly frustrating Qualifying day. Although he had to start second, he made the most of the front row and converted his race pace into the result he had been threatening all weekend.
Fairclough explains decisive Turn 1 move on Molnar
Fairclough faced immediate pressure at the start. Molnar had the support of the Hungarian crowd from pole position, but Fairclough launched well enough to draw alongside him on the run to Turn 1. From there, the Hitech driver used the inside line to take control of the race.
“Yes, it was good,” he said when asked about his early overtake. “The initial launch wasn’t too bad, and yes, a drag race, and I had the inside, so yes, that was it really. A bit unfortunate in qualifying with getting held up on the peak of that, but we still managed two P2s, and the pace has been really strong, and we’ve just got to keep pushing now.”
That opening move shaped the race. Fairclough quickly built a margin over Molnar and looked comfortable at the front before the Safety Car erased his advantage. However, the British driver stayed calm when racing resumed. He created enough space at the restart, watched Bedrin and Rehm attack behind him, and then focused on managing the gap without taking unnecessary risks.
“Yes, I got a good gap and saw them battling behind, and I just managed a comfortable pace and didn’t do anything too silly, and yes, that was it really.”
Fairclough ready to fight Bedrin again in Race 2
Fairclough will start Race 2 from second on the grid, with Bedrin on pole. After beating Molnar into Turn 1 in Race 1, he now hopes another strong launch can give him a chance to challenge the championship leader.
“Hopefully, fingers crossed, and if we get a good start, we can give Nikita a good fight.”
The victory also gives Fairclough renewed championship momentum. He took a major step forward at the Hungaroring, and he stressed again how much the result meant to both himself and Hitech.
“Exactly that,” he added when asked about the Hungaroring result kickstarting his championship fight. “I’m really pleased, good points, and I’m just mega thankful to all the team and everyone that supports me.”
Bedrin satisfied after maximising second place in 2026 Gb3 Race 1 at the Hungaroring
Bedrin started third and had to stay patient when Fairclough and Molnar ran side by side into Turn 1. Rather than force a risky three-wide move, the VRD Racing driver waited for a better opportunity.
That chance came at the restart, where he attacked Molnar and moved into second.
“Yes, a pretty good race. I mean, we started P3, there was not much to do in the first lap because they were side by side, you cannot really go three-wide unless you want to crash early, but I think I managed it pretty well. Had a good restart, got him there.
“I felt like I had more pace than him before that, but just not easy to keep up in the last sector on this track. I think we’ve maximised what we could, and I’m pretty happy with good points.”
Bedrin details late restart move on Molnar
The decisive moment for Bedrin came when racing resumed on lap 11. After initially trying the outside line when Molnar defended, he changed approach and launched a late move to the inside at Turn 1.
“Yes, I think I got him by surprise. The first time he defended, I went to the outside, and I mean, there was not much I could have done there differently to do any better. And then when I passed him, I decided to try something different, and it worked out perfectly. So, yes, it was a good move, of course.”
The pass helped Bedrin limit the damage on a day when Fairclough had the stronger race-winning pace. Moreover, it allowed him to bank another strong result in his championship campaign.
Bedrin targets Race 2 control from pole
Bedrin will start Race 2 from pole after his standout second Qualifying performance. With track position again likely to matter, he wants a clean launch and a controlled opening phase.
“Yes, get a good start and pull away,” he answered when asked about his goals for Race 2. “That’s the goal.”
The second-place finish also strengthened his championship position. Bedrin emphasised the value of consistently scoring strong points across race weekends, especially while fighting for the title.
“Yes, of course. As I said, it’s really amazing to keep constantly scoring points. This is exactly what we need to get the championship at the end of the year. So, we keep needing to be doing the same thing.”
Rehm surprises himself with podium charge from ninth in 2026 GB3 Race 1 at the Hungaroring.
Rehm produced one of the drives of the race after starting ninth and finishing third. The Rodin Motorsport driver made a superb opening lap, moved into fourth, and then used the restart chaos to follow Bedrin past Molnar. He also credited tyre management for keeping him in contention over the race distance.
“Yes, I think it was quite a good race. We had a good start. We were 4th after the start.
And then it was, for me, all about keeping the tyre in the window. I could feel the front going to the end and then the safety car came out. I think that pulled down the tyres a little bit.
And then Nikita had [run wide on the run down to] T1, and I took the opportunity and came in with him. And then it was just about finishing the race, not doing any mistakes.
He continued, “And, yes, I think the pace was a lot better than in qualifying. Sort of surprising. I didn’t expect a podium in this race, but I take it anyways. And I think tomorrow we can maybe have a chance for a win, but let’s see what happens.”
Rehm’s podium exceeded his own expectations. After a difficult Qualifying position, he treated the race as a chance to recover points rather than a clear podium opportunity.
“Yes, in my mind, I was just trying to get the most points I can, which, I mean, in the end I did. But I definitely didn’t expect a top three or a top five, to be honest.”
Rehm sees tyre management as key for Race 2
Looking ahead, Rehm believes Race 2 could depend heavily on tyre behaviour and how well drivers manage the Hungaroring’s demands. After finding stronger race pace than Qualifying pace, he sees a chance to fight again if others struggle with their tyres.
“I think it depends on track time,” he said, adding, I think it depends on how the other drivers work with their tyres. I think if they don’t treat them as well, I think I maybe have a chance when I keep the tyres in the right window.”
Fairclough, Bedrin and Rehm therefore leave Race 1 with different but equally positive takeaways. Fairclough finally converted his pace into victory, Bedrin strengthened his title push with second, and Rehm turned a difficult grid slot into an unexpected podium.
