MP Motorsport drivers on their return to Silverstone

Formula 2 and Formula 3 are the junior categories which travel the world as part of the F1 calendar. In July, F2 and F3 drivers will be gearing up on the Silverstone grid to battle it out to take the top spot on the podium, hoping it will result in an F1 seat one day.

Preparing for any race is intense for any driver, no matter the circuit or their previous experience. However, current F2 Team Champions MP Motorsport’s drivers across both categories are looking ahead to returning to the home of British motorsport for this year’s British Grand Prix. We sat down with their drivers to hear their thoughts and feelings about returning to Silverstone this summer.

Credit: Dutch Photo Agency

F2 driver Jehan Daruvala highlights that actually, racing drivers prepare for each race weekend in a similar way.

“Every weekend has the same amount of points so we go in with the same intention; to prepare as much as we can,” Jehan says. “Of course, we try our best.”

Originally hailing from India, Daruvala doesn’t have a home race of his own on the F1 calendar, but he spends a lot of time in England each year. “Silverstone is like my second home,” he says. “It’s one of my favourite tracks and I’m looking forward to the race.”

Daruvala’s teammate, Dennis Hauger, is the only Norwegian racing driver across F1, F2 and F3. On his last visit to Silverstone in 2022, he had a difficult weekend, finishing 15th in the Sprint Race and having to retire due to a collision in Sunday’s Feature Race. He’s hoping for more luck this year.

“Silverstone is a really cool track with some really high-speed corners and good combinations, especially through the middle sector,” Dennis says. “It’s a track that is pretty cool to drive.”

Credit: Dutch Photo Agency

The 2023 British Grand Prix sees two out of MP’s three F3 drivers return to Silverstone. Argentinian Franco Colapinto and Brit Jonny Edgar return to the circuit, whilst Spain’s Mari Boya makes his maiden appearance at the track.

“It’s such a historic track,” Franco says. “I’m really looking forward to going back to England and racing at Silverstone.”

For Mari, preparation for his first time at Silverstone has been important. “I already did some testing on the simulator,” he says. “I think racing at Silverstone will be really special.”

MP’s home hero Jonny Edgar will return to race at his home circuit on this year’s schedule, which until last year, he didn’t have the opportunity to do because of where he raced in F4.

“It’s nice to be at home and race at Silverstone, and to not have to travel as far,” Jonny says. “With the British crowd, especially at Silverstone, it’s special.”

Credit: Dutch Photo Agency

This year’s British Grand Prix weekend kicks off in less than a month, with the F2 and F3 drivers hitting the track on Friday 7 July.