James Wharton left Silverstone feeling hugely satisfied after a spectacular surge through the pack during the F3 Feature Race at the 2025 British GP. The Australian rookie, driving for ART Grand Prix, made a brilliant recovery from P20 on the grid, finishing the race in sixth place. This remarkable performance was the result of a calculated strategy and a confident execution of his driving abilities.
Strategic call for wet tyres
The critical moment of the race came before lights out, when the grid was split over tyre choices. The weather had left the field with a tough decision: Hards or Wet Pirelli tyres. In this scenario, Wharton made the bold decision to opt for the Wet tyres, a choice that would prove crucial to his race.
Recalling the decision-making process, Wharton explained: “To be honest, it was quite chilled from my side, even though the race was quite chaotic. There was quite a lot of people on slick tyres, but quite a lot on wets as well, same as me.”
Despite the uncertainty that surrounded the grid, Wharton trusted his instincts. He continued: “It was a combination of the team and I, but I was definitely confident to be on the Wet tyres. I said to the team on the laps to the grid that it was going to be full Wet. We did put slicks on for a second, but I knew we would make the right decision.”
Wharton also reflected on the difficulties faced by others on the grid: “I think the team take a lot of confidence away if the driver knows what they want. I feel sorry for the people on the slicks because it wasn’t the right choice today. But last year I was the opposite, stayed on wets, ended up finishing last. So, I’m quite happy.”
With the tyre decision made, Wharton’s focus shifted entirely to the race ahead.
A remarkable recovery through the field
Wharton’s decision to start on Wet tyres allowed him to make a significant impact during the opening laps of the race. As the wet conditions continued to challenge drivers, the ART Grand Prix driver surged through the field, advancing from 20th to 8th within the first few corners. This pace and composure early on were key to his success. Wharton noted: “Lap 1 put me in a really good spot, going from 20th to eighth and making up 12 spots in about six or seven corners, which was super cool.”
For Wharton, this impressive surge was not a result of luck, but a reflection of the pace he and his team had in the wet conditions. He confidently stated: “It wasn’t a fluke or that we got lucky. We had the pace. I just made up spots on the first lap, always found myself in the right place, which is always quite tough in those conditions, whereas yesterday I had the opposite.”
This initial performance helped him build confidence, and from that point, Wharton felt he had a strong hold on his race. He added: “But at the end of the day, we had the pace to be there today, and I feel we should have been there from the start. In the Sprint Race, I should have started up front, and then in the Feature we would have been there as well. So I feel the result in the Feature is representative of the pace we have.”
Gaining confidence and improving pace
In addition to his strategic decision on tyres, Wharton believes that his recent results are also a result of significant progress both from himself and from the ART Grand Prix team.
Reflecting on his growth as a driver, Wharton explained: “We’ve definitely made a step forward the last couple of weeks. I think a lot of teams are starting to understand this car a lot better, but at the same time, I feel my driving has come a long way from the start of the season.”
He credited his personal development as one of the key factors that have led to stronger performances: “I’ve made a huge step forward, and the team’s doing a mega job.”
Looking back at the start of the year, Wharton admitted that he struggled to get the most out of the new car. However, with time and experience, he has grown more comfortable.
“I felt really good with the old car, not so good at the start of this year with the new car. But I’m really starting to really find my feet again, and when I have confidence, I feel like I can be fast anywhere and in any car.”
The combination of personal growth and team effort has put Wharton in an even stronger position for upcoming races. He was quick to praise his team’s work, saying: “So, I’ve made a huge step forward, and the team’s doing a mega job. But I feel there’s been a lot of driving development in the last couple of weeks that has put us in an even better spot.”
Confidence for upcoming races
Looking ahead to future rounds, Wharton expressed confidence that both he and ART Grand Prix are in a strong position to continue their progress. One track in particular that he is looking forward to is Spa-Francorchamps, which has been a positive venue for him in previous years.
“Spa is another good track for me. I’ve said that a lot the last couple of weeks, but I’ve been to the track before and had a couple of wins around Spa as well, so I’m definitely looking forward to it,” he said.
Wharton is under no illusion that qualifying at Spa will be intense, but he is confident in his ability to perform: “It’s going to be another hectic Qualifying, probably one that’s a bit up in the air and leaving people guessing what’s going to happen next. But, at the same time, I feel super confident with the next three tracks and can’t wait to get started, because I know we have the pace, and I just need to deliver in Qualifying and have a clean session.”
As Wharton looks forward to the rest of the 2025 F3 season, there is a strong sense of belief that his recent performances are only a preview of what is to come. With growing confidence in his abilities and the ongoing development of the ART Grand Prix team, the young Australian is set for an exciting second half of the season.
