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Barter first ‘Grid Kid’ to hit the big time

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: January 24, 2023

Australia’s Hugh Barter is yet to turn a lap in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, but has already made history.

Last Friday night Barter was announced as the third Aussie on the 2023 F3 grid, signing for Campos Racing.

He is the latest young gun to race on the big stage, joining the likes of compatriots Tommy Smith and Christian Mansell, with the latter also racing for the Spanish team, while Jack Doohan and Oscar Piastri will also be in action at the Australian Grand Prix in Formula 2 and 3 respectively.

But Barter has one thing achievement already up his sleeve, becoming the first “Grid Kid” to progress to F3, which is considered a stepping stone to Formula 1.

The 17-year-old said becoming the first “Grid Kid” to race in the global championship will be a special feeling.

“I am so honored to be the first Grid Kid to join the FIA Formula 3 championship, I hope this is the beginning of something special and I hope to inspire other young drivers to pursue their dreams no matter where they come from.”

A young Hugh Barter with Lewis Hamilton at the 2019 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

The “Grid Kids” program the FIA launched in 2018 to replace grid girls, and more importantly give young drivers to meet their heroes and an unforgettable glimpse of the pinnacle of motorsport.

As part of the initiative, the kids stand alongside the drivers on the grid at each Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Barter was lucky enough to meet the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Johnny Herbert and Toto Wolff when he was a “Grid Kid” at the 2019 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

Fast forward four years and he will be returning to the Albert Park grid, but as a driver racing a Formula 3 car.

Hugh Barter with former Grand Prix winner, turned Sky Sports F1 pundit Johnny Herbert.

Barter’s debut in the Formula 3 Championship will mark a significant step forward for the program with the Australian, born in Nagoya, Japan, and raised in Hughesdale Victoria set to become a role model for future “Grid Kids” to aspire too.

Barter arrives in F3 after an impressively busy 2022 season where he raced in the Spanish and French Formula 4 seasons where he recorded a combined total of 16 wins across 41 races.

He also took part in post-season testing with Campos late last year, where he got 63 laps of experience under his belt.

Hugh Barter lives and breathes racing, having completed nearly 50 races in two F4 series over the 2022 season.

Campos Racing Team Principal Adrian Campos believes Barter has the capability to chase “top results” in Formula 3.

“We are proud to continue working with Hugh (Barter) after a 2022 season with plenty of success,” he told Formula3.com.

“The Formula 3 championship is yet a more difficult challenge, but we feel confident as he is a very talented driver with excellent skills. 

“We really hope he will be able to quickly learn with our support and experience in order to end the season fighting for top results.”

Barter, Smith and Mansell will all make their full-time Formula 3 debut at Bahrain on March 3-5.

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION.

AUTO ACTION, Australia’s independent voice of motorsport

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