Yorkshire Motorsport Star Gears Up for GB3 with Xcel Motorsport

After two successful years in British Formula 4, Yorkshire teenager Rowan Campbell-Pilling has signed with Xcel Motorsport for the 2026 UK GB3 Championship.

For the last two years, Rowan has collected over 30 trophies and awards making his way into the top 10 standings in British Formula 4. His international debut last year also led him to achieve three further trophies, and he was crowned third place, overall, in the F4 UAE Trophy Series.

Rejoining the team responsible for his win last year, Rowan has been signed by Dubai-based Xcel Motorsport, for his GB3 debut.

Xcel Motorsport races in both British F4 and MSV GB3 championships in the UK, as well as around the world in F4 and Karting. It has also recently established a brand-new facility in Wokingham to strengthen its operation in the UK.

 GB3, the proven step to FIA Formula 3 and beyond, takes place over eight events in five different countries in 2026, with trips to five popular Formula 1 circuits: Spa-Francorchamps, Hungaroring, Barcelona-Catalunya, Silverstone and the Red Bull Ring.

Rowan said: “I’m really excited to be joining the 2026 GB3 Championship with Xcel Motorsport. It’s been great working with them over the winter – they worked tirelessly for our campaign in the F4 Trophy Series and we enjoyed huge success from that.

“I’m super excited to get started in the GB3 race car in the coming weeks as I, once again, represent Sheffield on the world stage – it means a huge amount to me.”

“He’s a driver who has consistently impressed us with his work ethic, commitment and attitude.”

Before Christmas, Rowan was able to feature in pre-season testing at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, as he prepares to drive the GB3 Tatuus car ahead of the GB3 season. The car will have upgrades in aerodynamics and the use of a Drag Reduction System (DRS) – the same as those used in Formula 1 vehicles.

Rowan will also benefit from a newly increased 2.4L engine which will provide the power for him to achieve speeds of over 150mph.

Gary Bonnor, Xcel Motorsport’s GB3 Team Manager, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome Rowan to our GB3 programme for 2026. He’s a driver who has consistently impressed us with his work ethic, commitment and attitude.

“Rowan is incredibly hard working and has already spent a lot of time with the team, which gives us great confidence that he’ll adapt quickly and hit the ground running. We’re really looking forward to working closely with him as he takes this next step in his career.”

Rowan is proud to represent Sheffield and Yorkshire on the global stage.

This year, Rowan is supported by regional partners Altitude, Exol Lubricants, H Harrold & Sons, Hydra Creative, Rathbones PLC, Simoda and Made in Sheffield.

Rowan’s motorsport journey started at the tender age of two when he rode electric trials bikes around the UK. After this, from the ages of five and 16, Rowan won a multitude of trophies in karting and was even crowned UK junior karting Champion – the youngest ever winner of the National Series – at the age of 14.

His single-seater debut – moving from karting to F4 – took place in 2024 and now, as he steps up to GB3, Rowan is proud to represent Sheffield and Yorkshire on the global stage.

With his attention firmly fixed on his GB3 championship debut, the teenager is gearing up for the opening race of the season, at Silverstone, in late April.

Keep up to date here: https://www.rowancampbellpilling.co.uk/