Britain’s hopes of securing a fourth consecutive Formula Three Euroseries title will rest on the shoulders of James Jakes after he confirmed that he will step up to the championship with Manor Motorsport.

With ASM, who have annexed both the driver and team titles for the last three years, not fielding a British driver for the first time since the Euroseries was founded in 2003, Manor have instead acquired the services of Jakes, who graduates from the British Formula Three Championship.

Finishing eighth in the standings for Hitech Racing, Jakes scored a best result of second place at Snetterton through the season, but perhaps most crucially he also took advantage of Hitech’s decision to race alongside the Euroseries regulars during the British …  [Read Full Article]

Yorkshire teenager James Jakes drove superbly to uphold Manor Motorsport honour during the 2006 Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix yesterday, Sunday, 19th November, the BRDC Rising Star claimed a hard-fought top six finish on his debut in the 53rd staging of the annual F3 classic.

The 19-year-old joined regular Manor drivers Kohei Hirate and Kazuki Nakajima in the Dinnington-based team’s three-car assault on this year’s Grand Prix, a race regarded worldwide as the blue riband event of Formula 3 competition.

Manor, won the 52nd F3 Macau Grand Prix last year with Brazilian driver Lucas Di Grassi and the team headed into this year’s event hoping for a similar level of success with Toyota Driver Development stars Hirate and Nakajima having both won …  [Read Full Article]

Nine of the front runners in the 2006 Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series, including James Jakes and 2006 Champion Mike Conway, are getting ready to take part in the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix – the FIA Formula 3 Intercontinental Cup. The end of season blue riband event will see a field of 30 leading drivers from the various national championships compete for the unofficial world cup of Formula 3. For these young superstars of tomorrow, a win at Macau can guarantee the driver a place in a top Formula GP2 team or, in the case of exceptional talent, an immediate invitation to move in to the pinnacle of motor racing, Formula 1.

The late Ayrton Senna’s win in …  [Read Full Article]

James Jakes took two strong fifth place finishes as the BRDC Rising Star and BRDC McLaren Autosport Young Driver finalist once again produced a stirring drive in his LEMAC-backed Dallara F306 Mercedes HWA in Mugello this weekend, on the technically demanding track that is perhaps better known as a Ferrari test facility. The 19 year-old Yorkshireman led home his Hitech Racing team-mates in both 16
lap races at the magnificent Italian track to extend his points tally, in his first season in British F3.

James Jakes travelled out to the Tuscany track for rounds 17 and 18 of the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series confident of a good result, on a track relatively unknown to all the drivers and …  [Read Full Article]

James’ Team boss David Hayle is looking for his Hitech drivers to fight at the front, as the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series heads to Brands Hatch this coming weekend for the latest round of the season.

James Walker posted the quickest time for the team during testing at Thruxton last week to boost confidence within the team heading to the famous Grand Prix circuit – where the F3 championship will be racing for the first time since 2003.

However, with James, James Walker and Salvador Duran having not raced an F3 car on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, Hayle admitted the team was taking a step into the unknown – although he remained confident of success.

“This weekend …  [Read Full Article]

James is heading to the famous BP Ultimate Masters of Formula 3 at the historic Zandvoort track in the Netherlands this weekend determined to take victory around the fabulous former Grand Prix circuit. The Masters of Formula 3 has traditionally attracted the cream of young up and coming drivers throughout its 15-year history and has been won by many future Grand Prix stars.

James and his team-mates are all looking to add their name to the list of illustrious former winners. The winner of that very first Masters of F3 race back in 1991 was a certain David Coulthard, while his Red Bull Racing team-mate Christian Klein won the event in 2003.

James and the Hitech team have already …  [Read Full Article]

James took his first ever British F3 podium with a superb second place at Snetterton, teammate James Walker took a great third place to secure Hitechs first ever double podium in F3.

Starting from third on the grid, his highest position in the UK’s premier single-seater championship, Jakes made a good start to hold position as the pack filed into Riches for the first time, and then found a way past Christian Bakkerud before the completion of the first lap to take second. Thereafter the 18 year-old F3 rookie trailed the championship leader and eventual race winner Mike Conway to the flag to take his first podium of the year.

“I’m really happy with that! My second and …  [Read Full Article]

Eighteen year-old James Jakes posted the third quickest time in qualifying for the first of two races at Snetterton, his best grid position in his first season in British Formula 3. The Hitech Racing star backed that up with sixth quickest time for the second race, the Yorkshireman confident of two good results in rounds nine and ten of the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series.

James Jakes: “We’re making good progress after Brands and hopefully in the first race I can get a good start and challenge for the lead. The plan for the race is to get off the line well and battle it out with Bakkerud and Mike and hopefully get a good finish. …  [Read Full Article]

After ‘inheriting’ fourth place in yesterday’s F3 Euroseries race at Brands Hatch, F3 rookie James Jakes backed that up with a hard-earned fourth place finish in today’s 42-lap race on the 1.19 mile Indy circuit. Starting from fourth on the grid, the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver finalist was the first Briton across the line as he narrowly missed out on his first podium of the season.

Hitech Racing team-mate James Walker improved on his tenth place starting position and enjoyed a battle for position with championship regular Sebastien Vettel, with the 22 year-old from Jersey taking eighth place at the flag. On only their second European outing, on unfamiliar tyres, the team and drivers were pleased with their …  [Read Full Article]

Eighteen year-old James Jakes will start tomorrow’s second F3 Euroseries race at Brands Hatch from the third row of the grid after being classified fourth in today’s 57-lap race on the 1.19mile Indy track. The McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver finalist started from sixth for the first of two races at the Kent track, with his Hitech team-mate James Walker 13th after yesterday’s qualifying.

Throughout the race, which attracted the cream of Europe’s young up and coming drivers, both Jakes and Walker drove well to secure strong finishes in only their second appearance on the European scene. Jakes from Leeds, narrowly missed out on his first F3 podium, the former Formula Renault star crossing the line just behind Richard …  [Read Full Article]

Hitech Racing’s James Jakes was an impressive sixth quickest in qualifying for the Brands Hatch round of the Formula 3 Euroseries today, the 18 year-old rookie posting a time just two and a half tenths off pole. Following a superb test, which saw the McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver finalist third quickest, the teenager struggled with traffic during the afternoon qualifying session but was still happy with his performance.

“It was very hectic in qualifying and after being third quickest in the morning session, I think I could have been in the top three if I’d had more laps. Generally though I’m very happy with the set-up, everything is working really well and the team has worked hard. …  [Read Full Article]

Hitech Racing lined upon the front row of the grid for the eighth round of the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series at Mondello Park in Ireland. Twenty-two year-old James Walker, from Jersey, had topped the session for more than half of the thirty minutes before just losing out in the closing stages.

Second place on the grid equals his best qualifying in Formula 3, while 18 year-old James Jakes, on his first ever visit to the track, will line-up fifth, his best qualifying performance after topping the times earlier in the session. Twenty-one year-old Mexican Salvador Duran will start seventh, the reigning British F3 National Class Champion and lap record holder happier with the …  [Read Full Article]

James Jakes took more points after scoring two race finishs at rounds 5 and 6 in Pau, in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. Twenty-one year-old Salvador Duran led 18 year-old James Jakes to the flag as team-mate 22 year-old Jerseyman James Walker was forced out after just three laps.

The trio lined up seventh, ninth and 12th for the 30-minute race around the twisty, narrow track in the South of France and after a great start by all three drivers, a ten-car traffic jam on the opening lap brought out the red flag signalling an immediate stop. At the restart, McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver Finalist Jakes, was unable to get off the line after momentarily stalling although eventually he …  [Read Full Article]

James Jakes and the Hitech Racing team’s bid for victory at this weekend’s third and fourth rounds of the Lloyds TSB Insurance British F3 International Series at Donington Park was given a boost today F3 rookie 18 year-old James Jakes from Leeds, was third quickest in the second session and wound up sixth at the end of the day, 0.25secs off the quickest car. The McLaren Autosport BRDC Young driver finalist and BRDC Rising Star drove consistently all day and completed nearly 70 laps of the 1.95-mile National circuit.

James Walker, James teamate posted the quickest time in the first 40-minute session at the Leicestershire track. The 22 year-old Jerseyman ended the day second quickest overall just .025secs behind …  [Read Full Article]

James and the Hitech Racing Team continued their excellent testing form, posting the third and fourth quickest times in the final session at Snetterton today. Eighteen year-old Yorkshireman James led his team-mate Jakes Walker by 0.111sec, James was just 0.113secs behind the quickest driver. James’ other teammate Mexican driver Salvador Duran missed today’s session, his time yesterday of 1:01.790secs unbeaten today.

“It’s been another good day’s testing with James Jakes taking his turn at being the quickest Hitech driver,” said team owner David Hayle. “With Salvador’s quickest morning time yesterday and James (Walker) in the afternoon, it shows how evenly matched they are and I’m sure it won’t be long before they’re up on …  [Read Full Article]

…  [Read Full Article]

Hitech Racing driver James Jakes took a superb eighth place in the second round of the F3 Euroseries at Hockenheim, to finish top rookie and earn his first championship point of the season. His team-mate James Walker also impressed on his first visit to the track, making up seven places on the first lap before being forced out with broken steering after a collision.

On Hitech Racings very first visit to the track that hosts the German Grand Prix, team owner David Hayle was understandably delighted with their performance. “I’m very pleased. To get into the points on our very first attempt is a great result and I think credit must go to both drivers for their performances this …  [Read Full Article]

Both James and his colleague James Walker at Hitech showed great race pace throughout the 40-minute race, James made up twelve places to take 9th on his International F3 debut and Walker moving through the field and up into 11th place before his fire extinguisher went off after running over the kerbs.

A startline incident involving Michael Herck, who stalled, and Bruno Fechner, who ran into the back of him, caused the safety car to be deployed and for six laps the pack held station behind it. At the restart, James drove steadily, moving through the pack and up into 10th before being held up by the damaged car of Esteban Guerrieri. As James continued his charge …  [Read Full Article]

James Jakes will contest the oprening round of the Formula 3 Euroseries at Hockenhiem on 8th & 9th April with British F3 squad Hitec Racing.

James is the only confirmed driver but his Team mate James Walker could also make the trip, which falls one week before the first British series round over the Easter weekend at Oulton Park.

James said ” We decided it wouldn’t be bad to get a race in before the season. Anything we can pick up will be useful. It will be harder out there; I’d be happy to finish in the top five. ”

Mercedes-powered Hitec Racing are also interested in the Euroseries round at Brands Hatch …  [Read Full Article]

Formula Renault star James Jakes has joined Hitech Racing’s 2006 British Formula Three Championship line-up.

The 18-year-old Yorkshireman made a big impact on the team during winter testing, and Hitech owner David Hayle expects James Jakes’ promising form to continue through his rookie F3 season.

” We have worked closely with him in the last two months of 2005 and he was very impressive in winter testing, ” said Hayle.

” He is mature in the car, gives good feedback, and is mentally very strong. I think he will just keep getting better. ”

James Jakes has already packed a great deal of racing success into his short career. He …  [Read Full Article]

At the Star studded Autosport Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel this weekend it was Oliver Jarvis who walked away with the top award at the end of the evening - the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award.

” I’ve been dreaming about this moment for months now; it’s quite hard to take it in now that it’s here … I’ll never forget the moment when I heard my name. ” said Oliver.

The 21 year-old was the 2005 Formula Renault UK champion with Manor Motorsport, winning five times and scoring top five finishes in 14 of the 20 races. Oliver Jarvis has had spent two years each in Formula Ford and Formula …  [Read Full Article]

James Jakes has been awarded Rising Star status by the British Racing Drivers’ Club. James, who had an outstanding year in Formula Renault, was honoured with the Membership in recognition of his achievements and future prospects within racing.

In 2000 the British Racing Drivers’ Club created their Rising Star initiative. The category is open to 14-24 year olds, and membership is by strict invitation only. It is typically limited to a maximum of 40 young potential drivers who have shown excellence in the field of Motorsport.

The selected Drivers can come from all categories of racing up to the FIA International F3000 Championship, and the careers and future prospects of …  [Read Full Article]

James Jakes was chosen as one of the six talented finalists for the prestigious 2005 McLaren Autosport BRDC Award by an expert panel of judges. So James spent a ‘testing’ two days at Snetterton with five of his peers, the best young racing drivers in the UK, impressing the judges in three diverse cars. They each had 30 laps in a World Series single seater, and 18 laps in both a Mercedes C-Class DTM and the BTCC title winning Honda Integra Type-R. The judges were taking into account the full range of areas a top class racing driver has to excel in, including: speed, technique, attitude and …  [Read Full Article]

The six McLaren Autosport Awards nominees have been named.

Among these finalists is our very own James Jakes - who impressed the viewing public and the team of experts with his performance in the UK Formula Renault Championship. At the end of this years season he had the second highest points in the final total before dropped scores. He achieved 2 pole positions, 7 podiums, 3 ELF/Atol Driver of the Day, and 5 fastest laps. His inclusion is even more impressive if you take into account his age, having just turned 18 in August of this year, and the fact he is a relative newcomer compared to the other finalists. He only started …  [Read Full Article]

JAMES Jakes stunned Formula 3 bosses at a Croft test this month, out-pacing some of the influential championship’s front-runners and beating last year’s pole time.

T-Sport team boss Russ Eacott ran the Leeds teenager in his car for two days and says Jakes is the best young talent he has seen in his 15-year career.

” I definitely think he is ready for F3, ” said Eacott, whose driver Ryan Lewis last year finished 8th in the championship. ” James has great potential. He listened to the team, worked well and made some good progress. He was quick on both days and on the second he was
quickest over all even though last season’s front-runners Mike Conway and Bruno Senna were there. ”

Jakes …  [Read Full Article]