Jake Hughes returns to FIA Formula 3 with Carlin Buzz Racing

Jake Hughes will make an emphatic return to FIA Formula 3 at the Hungaroring in Budapest this weekend, as the British driver substitutes for the injured Kaylen Frederick at Carlin Buzz Racing.

A six-time winner in the F1 support series and its previous incarnation as GP3 Series, Jake has taken to the podium 15 times. Finishing seventh in the 2020 championship standings, Jake will put his experience to good use to further aid the team’s efforts in car setup.

Stepping into Frederick’s #24 Carlin Buzz Racing machine, Jake will take on the Hungaroring as he reunites with Carlin to race with the team for the first time since 2016, when they contested the FIA European F3 Championship and the revered Macau Grand Prix together.

It will mark his first racing action of 2021 as the Birmingham-born driver steps into the car for the first time since his FIA F2 debut at Sochi in 2020. In 2021, Jake has served as ROKiT Venturi Racing's reserve driver in Formula E and as simulator driver with Mercedes' Formula 1 and Formula E outfits.

“Thank you to Kaylen’s sponsors and Trevor for thinking of me and asking me to represent them this weekend in Hungary,” Jake said. “Obviously, every driver wants to be racing, so I’m really looking forward to being back in the car again this weekend. I will be working hard to help the team and Kaylen the best I can with my previous experience in the championship. Budapest is a notoriously difficult circuit to overtake on so getting up to speed quickly for qualifying will be key.”

A tight, twisting circuit with a lack of straights means the Hungaroring is often likened to a karting circuit. Finding a good rhythm is key to extracting the most from the 4.381km circuit with track position also key to a good result.

The new-for-2021 format will see Jake contest three races throughout the weekend. Track action begins on Friday morning with Free Practice at 10:05 local time (09:05 BST) followed by Qualifying at 13:50 (12:50). Jake will take to the grid for the first race of the weekend on Saturday morning at 10:35 (09:35) with the second race taking place later on Saturday afternoon at 17:55 (16:55). The third and final race then follows on Sunday morning at 10:45 (09:45).

Viewers in the UK can follow all of the action live on Sky Sports F1 throughout the weekend.

Image courtesy of Formula Motorsport Limited.