British racer Rowan Campbell-Pilling will step up to the GB3 Championship in 2026 as he joins Xcel Motorsport for the next stage of his career. The 18-year-old from Sheffield continues his upward momentum after two competitive seasons in Formula 4, where he built a reputation for speed, consistency, and intelligent race craft.
This move signals a clear progression for Campbell-Pilling, who already boasts a race victory in British F4 alongside multiple podium finishes. As a result, he arrives in GB3 with both confidence and experience, ready to take on one of the UK’s most competitive single-seater championships.
Strong foundations built in F 4
Over the past two years, Campbell-Pilling has focused on developing his race management and technical understanding in Formula 4 machinery. During that time, he converted pace into results and regularly challenged at the front of the field. Consequently, his performances marked him out as a driver prepared for the next step on the single-seater ladder.
Moreover, his British F4 success laid the groundwork for further progress abroad, where he continued to sharpen his skills against a varied and international grid. Campbell-Pilling strengthened his credentials during an impressive Formula Trophy campaign in the Middle East, where he partnered with Xcel Motorsport for the first time. Together, they claimed third place in the overall standings, underlining the effectiveness of their early collaboration.
Importantly, Campbell-Pilling secured a race victory at Yas Marina and added two third-place finishes at the Dubai Autodrome. Through these results, he demonstrated adaptability across different circuits while maintaining consistency under pressure. Therefore, the Middle East programme served as both a competitive success and a vital preparation phase ahead of his GB3 transition.
Winter integration with Xcel Motorsport sets platform for Campbell-Pilling in GB3 2026
During the winter months, Campbell-Pilling embedded himself within the Xcel Motorsport environment. This period allowed him to build strong working relationships with engineers and mechanics while aligning closely with the team’s processes and expectations.
Because of this early integration, he enters the 2026 season as a well-established member of the squad rather than a newcomer. As a result, he stands well placed to hit the ground running once he begins testing and racing in the GB3 car in the UK. Campbell-Pilling expressed clear enthusiasm about the next chapter of his career and highlighted the importance of his relationship with the team.
“I’m really excited to be joining the 2026 GB3 Championship with Xcel Motorsport. It’s been great working with them over the winter – they worked tirelessly for our campaign in the F4 Trophy Series and we enjoyed huge success from that. I’m super excited to get started in the GB3 race car in the coming weeks as I once again represent Sheffield on the world stage – it means a huge amount to me.”
Xcel Motorsport has also voiced strong confidence in Campbell-Pilling’s ability to adapt quickly to GB3 competition. Team Manager Gary Bonnor emphasised the driver’s attitude and preparation as key strengths ahead of the 2026 campaign.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome Rowan to our GB3 programme for 2026. He’s a driver who has consistently impressed us with his work ethic, commitment, and attitude. Rowan is incredibly hard working and has already spent a lot of time with the team, which gives us great confidence that he’ll adapt quickly and hit the ground running. We’re really looking forward to working closely with him as he takes this next step in his career.”
Looking ahead to the GB3 challenge
With proven F4 success, a productive Middle East campaign, and seamless winter integration, Campbell-Pilling approaches the 2026 GB3 season with momentum firmly on his side. Now, as he prepares to take to the GB3 car, both driver and team aim to translate preparation into performance and establish a strong presence from the opening rounds.
