Elite Motorsport

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Not to be confused with Élite Motorsport, a similarly-named Italian racing team.

United Kingdom Elite Motorsport
Founded2011
BaseNorfolk, England
Team principal(s)Eddie Ives
Founder(s)Eddie Ives
Current seriesGB3 Championship
GB4 Championship
Ginetta Junior Championship
Ginetta GT4 Supercup
Ginetta GT5 Challenge
GT4 European Series
International GT Open
Current driversGB3 Championship:
16. Philippines Bianca Bustamante
37. United Kingdom Will Macintyre
55. Philippines Flynn Jackes
67. United Kingdom Isaac Phelps
GB4 Championship:
35. United Kingdom Isaac Phelps
46. India Ary Bansal
51. Japan Alexandros Kattoulas
GT4 European Series:
78.
United Kingdom McKenzy Cresswell
United Kingdom Josh Rattican
International GT Open:
17.
United Kingdom Tom Emson
United Kingdom Tom Lebbon
Teams'
Championships		GB4 Championship
2025
Drivers'
Championships		GB4 Championship
2025: Ary Bansal
Websitehttps://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

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Early years

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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 car,[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

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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

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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]

2023

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For the GB3 campaign, the team signed Oliver Stewart and McKenzy Cresswell,[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]

2024

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In GB3, the team signed Jarrod Waberski and Hugo Schwarze, while retaining McKenzy Cresswell.[17]

Under partnership with Entire Race Engineering, the team competed in GT4 European Series, fielding two McLaren Artura GT4s.[18]

2025

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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 with driver Flynn Jackes in the pit lane at Hungaroring during the 2025 GB3 Championship season.

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

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GB3 Championship

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Year Car Drivers Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points D.C. T.C.
2021 Tatuus-Cosworth F4-016 United Kingdom Tom Lebbon 24 0 0 0 1 288 9th 5th
Spain Javier Sagrera 24 0 0 1 1 265 10th
Mexico José Garfias 15 0 0 0 0 117 17th
United Kingdom James Hedley 3 0 0 0 0 23 26th
2022 Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-022 United Kingdom Tom Lebbon 24 4 1 1 5 363.5 3rd 3rd
United Kingdom John Bennett 24 0 0 0 1 262.5 8th
United Kingdom James Hedley† 21 0 0 0 1 156 17th
Japan Ayato Iwasaki 3 0 0 0 0 24 23rd
2023 Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-022 United Kingdom McKenzy Cresswell 23 1 1 2 8 390 4th 5th
United Kingdom Oliver Stewart 22 1 0 1 1 150 16th
Japan Ayato Iwasaki 12 0 0 0 1 85 24th
Australia Patrick Heuzenroeder 6 0 0 0 1 21 26th
2024 Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-022 United Kingdom McKenzy Cresswell 23 2 3 1 8 376 4th 3rd
South Africa Jarrod Waberski 23 0 0 0 3 286 6th
Germany Hugo Schwarze 23 0 0 0 0 219 9th
2025 Tatuus-Cosworth MSV-025 United Kingdom William Macintyre 18 1 0 1 3 240 9th 7th
Philippines Flynn Jackes 24 0 0 0 0 94 20th
Philippines Bianca Bustamante 24 0 0 0 0 75 22nd
United Kingdom Isaac Phelps 3 0 0 0 0 0 NC

† Hedley drove for JHR Developments from round 5 onwards.

GB4 Championship

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Year Car Drivers Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points D.C. T.C.
2022 Tatuus F4-T014 United Kingdom Jack Sherwood 23 2 1 5 9 417 5th N/A
United Kingdom Alex Walker 12 3 3 2 5 244 8th
United Kingdom William Macintyre 3 0 0 1 2 71 13th
2023 Tatuus F4-T014 United Kingdom Harri Reynolds 9 1 0 1 2 125 12th 6th
United Kingdom Josh Irfan 9 0 0 0 1 117 13th
United Kingdom Theo Micouris 3 0 0 0 0 44 19th
United Kingdom Finn Harrison 3 0 0 0 0 29 21st
2024 Tatuus F4-T014 United Kingdom Alisha Palmowski 20 3 2 1 11 422 2nd 2nd
United Kingdom Finn Harrison 20 2 4 1 5 291 6th
Isle of Man Nick Ellis 3 0 0 0 0 29 18th
2025 Tatuus MSV GB4-025 United Kingdom Isaac Phelps
India Ary Bansal
Japan Alexandros Kattoulas

Timeline

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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

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  1. ^ "Elite Motorsport plans GT4 European Series entry with twin McLaren Arturas". GT4 European Series. SRO Motorsports Group. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Elite Motorsport Purchases Ferrari 296 GT3 For GT Open". Dailysportscar. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Team". Elite Motorsport. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b Lickorish, Stephen (10 March 2020). "From humble club beginnings to the national racing elite". Autosport. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  5. ^ Allen, Peter (9 November 2020). "Elite Motorsport to replace Lanan Racing on BRDC British F3 grid". Formula Scout. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  6. ^ Wood, Ida (1 February 2021). "Elite Motorsport announces Javier Sagrera as first British F3 signing". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  7. ^ Wood, Ida (11 February 2021). "Ginetta Junior champion Tom Lebbon follows Elite into BRDC British F3". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  8. ^ Allen, Peter (18 February 2021). "Elite completes British F3 line-up with NACAM F4 graduate Garfias". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  9. ^ Woollard, Craig (29 October 2021). "Top GB3, British F4 and FF1600 teams among eight committed to GB4". Formula Scout. Retrieved 4 September 2025.
  10. ^ Whitfield, Steve (13 April 2022). "2022 GB3 team-by-team season preview". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  11. ^ Wood, Ida (21 July 2022). "Hedley leaves Elite Motorsport for JHR Developments in GB3". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  12. ^ Whitfield, Steve (11 October 2022). "Japanese teenager Ayato Iwasaki joins Elite for Donington GB3 finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  13. ^ Wood, Ida (16 March 2023). "British F4 graduate Oliver Stewart makes GB3 step with Elite Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  14. ^ Wood, Ida (15 December 2022). "McKenzy Cresswell switches to Elite for second GB3 campaign". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  15. ^ Wood, Ida (9 March 2023). "Ayato Iwasaki commits to full GB3 season with Elite Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  16. ^ Whitfield, Steve (10 October 2023). "Heuzenroeder to make GB3 debut at Zandvoort with Elite Motorsport". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  17. ^ Whitfield, Steve (28 March 2024). "2024 GB3 season preview: Can series rookies beat the old guard?". Formula Scout. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Elite Motorsport prepares for second GT4 European Series season". Endurance-Info. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  19. ^ "Will Macintyre moves back to Elite Motorsport for GB3 return". GB3 Championship. 6 December 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  20. ^ "Flynn Jackes completes Elite Motorsport's GB3 line-up". GB3 Championship. 24 April 2025. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
  21. ^ "Bianca Bustamante to make GB3 Championship debut with Elite Motorsport". GB3 Championship. 19 December 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Cancer diagnosis forces young British racer to step away from motorsport". RacingNews365. 17 September 2025. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
  23. ^ Whitfield, Steve (13 October 2025). "Elite Motorsport hands GB3 debut to Isaac Phelps at Monza". Formula Scout. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "2025 ENTRY: Elite and Rattican return in search of history". GT4 European Series. SRO Motorsports Group. 3 April 2025. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
  26. ^ Whitfield, Steve (5 October 2025). "Ary Bansal becomes GB4 champion as Juncos wins season finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  27. ^ "GB4 Team Standings". GB4 Championship. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 24 October 2025.
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