Elite Motorsport
| Founded | 2011 |
|---|---|
| Base | Norfolk, England |
| Team principal(s) | Eddie Ives |
| Founder(s) | Eddie Ives |
| Current series | GB3 Championship GB4 Championship Ginetta Junior Championship Ginetta GT4 Supercup Ginetta GT5 Challenge GT4 European Series International GT Open |
| Current drivers | GB3 Championship: 16. Bianca Bustamante 37. Will Macintyre 55. Flynn Jackes 67. Isaac Phelps GB4 Championship: 35. Isaac Phelps 46. Ary Bansal 51. Alexandros Kattoulas GT4 European Series: 78. McKenzy Cresswell Josh Rattican International GT Open: 17. Tom Emson Tom Lebbon |
| Teams' Championships | GB4 Championship 2025 |
| Drivers' Championships | GB4 Championship 2025: Ary Bansal |
| Website | https://www.elitemotorsport.co.uk |
Elite Motorsport is a British motorsport team. A mainstay in the national junior single-seater scene, it participates in the GB3 Championship, GB4 Championship as well as Ginetta one-make series, including the Ginetta Junior Championship. It is also active in sports car racing, fielding a McLaren in the GT4 European Series before stepping up to the International GT Open with Ferrari.[1][2]
Notable past drivers for the team include Adam Smalley, Harry King, Louis Foster, Javier Sagrera, and Will Macintyre.
History
Early years
According to Elite Motorsport's website, the team was established in late 2011 by Eddie Ives, intending to design, develop and build their purpose-manufactured race cars,[3] as well as compete in 750 Motor Club's racing series.[4]
In 2014, Elite Motorsport ran their Elite Pulse self-created race car in Sport Specials.[4] A year later, the team shifted its focus to Ginetta Junior Championship.[3]
2020–2021
In November 2020, Elite Motorsport announced its GB3 Championship (then known as BRDC British Formula 3 Championship) debut in 2021, replacing Lanan Racing.[5] In its BRDC F3 debut season, Elite Motorsport signed Javier Sagrera, Tom Lebbon and José Garfias.[6][7][8]
In October 2021, it was announced that Elite Motorsport was one of the first eight teams committed with GB4 for the 2022 season.[9]
2022–2024
For the 2022 GB3 season, Tom Lebbon remained with Elite Motorsport. The team signed James Hedley and John Bennett for remaining two cars.[10] Later, James Hedley switched to JHR Developments from the fifth round.[11] Ayato Iwasaki joined Elite Motorsport for the final round.[12]
In 2023, the team signed Oliver Stewart and McKenzy Cresswell for the GB3 campaign,[13][14] while Ayato Iwasaki remained with Elite Motorsport for a full season.[15] However, Patrick Heuzenroeder replaced Ayato Iwasaki for the last two rounds.[16]
In 2024 GB3 season, the team signed Jarrod Waberski and Hugo Schwarze, while retaining McKenzy Cresswell.[17] The team also competed in GT4 European Series under partnership with Entire Race Engineering, fielding two McLaren Artura GT4s.[18]
2025
For the GB3 campaign, the team signed Will Macintyre and two Filipina drivers: Bianca Bustamante and Flynn Jackes.[19][20][21] Midway through the season, Macintyre was forced to step away from racing following diagnoses of lung and brain cancer. He had won a race and scored two podiums.[22] For the final round, Elite Motorsport promoted Isaac Phelps from its GB4 outfit to replace Macintyre.[23]
Elite Motorsport also made its International GT Open debut, having purchased a Ferrari 296 GT3 in September 2024.[2] In its debut season, Elite Motorsport signed Tom Emson and Tom Lebbon.[24] Meanwhile, the team also competed in GT4 European Series, fielding Josh Rattican and McKenzy Cresswell in a McLaren Artura GT4.[25]
In GB4, Ary Bansal won the Drivers' championship, driving for Elite Motorsport.[26] The team also won the Teams' championship,[27] ending KMR Sport's winning streak from 2022 to 2024.
Current series results
GB3 Championship
| Year | Car | Drivers | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | D.C. | T.C. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tatuus-Cosworth F4-016 | Tom Lebbon | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 288 | 9th | 5th |
| Javier Sagrera | 24 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 265 | 10th | |||
| José Garfias | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 117 | 17th | |||
| James Hedley | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 26th | |||
| 2022 | Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-022 | Tom Lebbon | 24 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 363.5 | 3rd | 3rd |
| John Bennett | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 262.5 | 8th | |||
| James Hedley† | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 156 | 17th | |||
| Ayato Iwasaki | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 23rd | |||
| 2023 | Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-022 | McKenzy Cresswell | 23 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 390 | 4th | 5th |
| Oliver Stewart | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 150 | 16th | |||
| Ayato Iwasaki | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 85 | 24th | |||
| Patrick Heuzenroeder | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 21 | 26th | |||
| 2024 | Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-022 | McKenzy Cresswell | 23 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 376 | 4th | 3rd |
| Jarrod Waberski | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 286 | 6th | |||
| Hugo Schwarze | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 219 | 9th | |||
| 2025 | Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-025 | William Macintyre | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 240 | 9th | 7th |
| Flynn Jackes | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 20th | |||
| Bianca Bustamante | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 22nd | |||
| Isaac Phelps | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC |
† Hedley drove for JHR Developments from round 5 onwards.
GB4 Championship
| Year | Car | Drivers | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | D.C. | T.C. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Tatuus F4-T014 | Jack Sherwood | 23 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 9 | 417 | 5th | N/A |
| Alex Walker | 12 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 244 | 8th | |||
| William Macintyre | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 71 | 13th | |||
| 2023 | Tatuus F4-T014 | Harri Reynolds | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 125 | 12th | 6th |
| Josh Irfan | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 117 | 13th | |||
| Theo Micouris | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 19th | |||
| Finn Harrison | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 21st | |||
| 2024 | Tatuus F4-T014 | Alisha Palmowski | 20 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 422 | 2nd | 2nd |
| Finn Harrison | 20 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 291 | 6th | |||
| Nick Ellis | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 18th | |||
| 2025 | Tatuus MSV GB4-025 | Ary Bansal | 21 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 402 | 1st | 1st |
| Isaac Phelps | 21 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 6 | 391 | 2nd | |||
| Alexandros Kattoulas | 21 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 319 | 4th |
Timeline
| Current series | |
|---|---|
| Ginetta Junior Championship | 2015–present |
| Ginetta GT4 Supercup | 2018–present |
| Ginetta GT5 Challenge | 2019–present |
| GB3 Championship | 2021–present |
| GB4 Championship | 2022–present |
| GT4 European Series | 2023–present |
| GT4 Winter Series | 2024–present |
| International GT Open | 2025–present |
| Former series | |
| Mini Challenge UK | 2020 |
| French GT4 Cup | 2024 |
References
- ^ "Elite Motorsport plans GT4 European Series entry with twin McLaren Arturas". GT4 European Series. SRO Motorsports Group. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Elite Motorsport Purchases Ferrari 296 GT3 For GT Open". Dailysportscar. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Team". Elite Motorsport. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
- ^ a b Lickorish, Stephen (10 March 2020). "From humble club beginnings to the national racing elite". Autosport. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
- ^ Allen, Peter (9 November 2020). "Elite Motorsport to replace Lanan Racing on BRDC British F3 grid". Formula Scout. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (1 February 2021). "Elite Motorsport announces Javier Sagrera as first British F3 signing". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (11 February 2021). "Ginetta Junior champion Tom Lebbon follows Elite into BRDC British F3". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Allen, Peter (18 February 2021). "Elite completes British F3 line-up with NACAM F4 graduate Garfias". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Woollard, Craig (29 October 2021). "Top GB3, British F4 and FF1600 teams among eight committed to GB4". Formula Scout. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (13 April 2022). "2022 GB3 team-by-team season preview". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (21 July 2022). "Hedley leaves Elite Motorsport for JHR Developments in GB3". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (11 October 2022). "Japanese teenager Ayato Iwasaki joins Elite for Donington GB3 finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (16 March 2023). "British F4 graduate Oliver Stewart makes GB3 step with Elite Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (15 December 2022). "McKenzy Cresswell switches to Elite for second GB3 campaign". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Wood, Ida (9 March 2023). "Ayato Iwasaki commits to full GB3 season with Elite Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (10 October 2023). "Heuzenroeder to make GB3 debut at Zandvoort with Elite Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (28 March 2024). "2024 GB3 season preview: Can series rookies beat the old guard?". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ "Elite Motorsport prepares for second GT4 European Series season". Endurance-Info. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ "Will Macintyre moves back to Elite Motorsport for GB3 return". GB3 Championship. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ "Flynn Jackes completes Elite Motorsport's GB3 line-up". GB3 Championship. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
- ^ "Bianca Bustamante to make GB3 Championship debut with Elite Motorsport". GB3 Championship. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ "Cancer diagnosis forces young British racer to step away from motorsport". RacingNews365. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (13 October 2025). "Elite Motorsport hands GB3 debut to Isaac Phelps at Monza". Formula Scout. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ "Emson and Lebbon to drive the Ferrari 296 in Elite's GT Open maiden season". International GT Open. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ "2025 ENTRY: Elite and Rattican return in search of history". GT4 European Series. SRO Motorsports Group. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
- ^ Whitfield, Steve (5 October 2025). "Ary Bansal becomes GB4 champion as Juncos wins season finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ "GB4 Team Standings". GB4 Championship. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.