Omar Ismail returns to the BRDC British Formula 3 Championship for 2017 and will run with Chris Dittmann Racing, it has been confirmed today (24 March). The Solihull-based teenager becomes the team’s second confirmed driver for the upcoming season, joining Kenyan Jeremy Wahome.
The 17-year-old knows the team well having contested a partial BRDC Formula 4 campaign with the Gloucestershire-based outfit in 2015, which yielded a victory at Snetterton along with a runner-up finish on the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch.
He then contested the opening round of the UK’s premier single-seater championship at Snetterton last year with HHC Motorsport before returning to Chris Dittmann Racing for the season ending British F3 meeting at Donington Park, scoring two impressive top-10 finishes from the three races.
Prior to his graduation into single-seaters, Ismail competed in karts and achieved strong results at both regional and national level. He primarily raced in the Rotax category, taking part in the Rotax Euro Challenge in 2013 and participating in selected Super One rounds during 2013 and 2014.
Ismail said: "It's great to be back with a team I know so well, a team that I have worked with in the past and been successful. I know their abilities, they know mine, so that's a recipe for a really good season. We're working as hard as possible, we'll aim as high as possible and will get the best results we can.
"Testing has gone really well, smooth and with no hiccups. It's been amazing to be back in the car, we did well at Donington last year so I know I have the ability to put in some good performances. We're on a good pace despite having hardly any time in the car, and I know we've got more to come."
Chris Dittmann, team principal of Chris Dittmann Racing, commented: "I'm delighted Omar is back with us. He's proven his ability and his pace, I'm sure we can get back to the same high points with him this season. Wins breed confidence, and he knows he can win with us.
"Having Omar and Jeremy gives us a great base to work from for the year ahead. Testing has been going well, and there's still plenty of time before the first round of the season at Oulton Park in April to continue pushing on. I'm confident he'll help us have an excellent season."
The 2017 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship commences at Oulton Park on Easter Weekend (15-17 April), before visiting a number of the best circuits across the UK and Europe, including the Grand Prix tracks at Brands Hatch, Donington Park, Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.
