BIG FINALE: Weston Hills racer Johnathan Hoggard.

Race ace Hoggard ready for big FIA Formula 3 finale at Sochi this weekend

Johnathan Hoggard is set to tackle the final three races in the 2021 FIA Formula 3 Championship as the series travels to Sochi Autodrom in Russia this weekend.

Originally, the season was due to close at Circuit of the Americas in Texas at the end of October, but logistical challenges have meant a change in venue as well as a four-week reduction in the time between contests.

Weston Hills racer Hoggard, who competes in a Travel Planet-backed Jenzer Motorsport machine, has been performing well in recent rounds.

He finished sixth at Spa-Francorchamps, though some bad luck cost him a chance of further point-scoring finishes both in Belgium and at Zandvoort in the Netherlands.

Regardless, the 20-year-old, who is a member of both the BRDC SuperStars programme and part of Motorsport UK’s Team UK, has not competed at Sochi previously, but with most of the field in the same position, has his eyes on a strong finish to the season in Russia.

He will head out for his first and only practice session at 6.55am (BST) on Friday, with qualifying a few hours later at 11am.

There will be two 20-lap contests the following day at 6.35am and 11.40am, with the final race of the season set for 7.55am on Sunday.

Hoggard said: “It was a shame to see the event at Circuit of the Americas taken off the calendar, but I am very excited to go to Russia and race at Sochi Autodrom for the first time.

“I know that the teams have been here before but for most of the drivers it will be a new track so it should help level out the field and produce some exciting action.

“To be racing again so soon is a positive and I am aiming to have some strong results to see the championship out on a good note.

“This season’s racing has gone so fast since I came into FIA Formula 3 in June, but it has been a great experience.

“I have learned things every step of the way, so I am looking to really build on the previous races and put it into action for the season finale at Sochi.”

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