Aaron Steele has announced he will enter the new-for-2011 MSV F3 Cup, after he secured a late deal with Gray's Motorsport.
Steele, from Rochester, Kent, has previous history in Formula 3 competition, securing three wins, five poles and four fastest laps during a part season in the Enterprise Edge F3 Series. The 22 year old has also competed in Formula Renault BARC, Formula Palmer Audi and Formula BMW in the past and was nominated for the prestigious McLaren Autosport BRDC award in 2008.
Talking about the deal Steele said: “I want to thank John Gray and my dad for putting the package together and giving me the opportunity to run a full season and keep my single-seater dream alive. Unlike previous seasons I can relax and look to build some consistency in my form as I know my drive is secure for the year.”
Aaron's manager and father, Kevin Steele, explained how the deal came together: “The deal with Gray's came out of the blue once MSV F3 Cup was born. John Gray contacted me to say 'we should do this and we want to do it with Aaron'
“It's just absolutely amazing, knowing that Aaron's drive is secure for the full season, a luxury he has never enjoyed. He can now concentrate on the job not having to drive every race and every lap like it could be his last. The MSV F3 Cup will only go one way, up! There really is a place for this series, the F2 test is naturally the goal, as it just may help Aaron get to where he needs to be, but that does not distract from the job ahead as this series will only get stronger & stronger.
“As dad I have always been in despair, seeing Aaron having to sit on the side-lines and not being given the opportunity he so deserves. I personally cannot thank Gray's Motorsport enough for giving him this chance.”
The nine-round MSV F3 Cup kicks off on the weekend of 19/20 March at Snetterton on the new ‘Snetterton 300’ layout. The series visits Donington, Brands Hatch, Anglesey, Oulton Park and the calendar highlight of Spa Franchorchamps in June. With the series formed by a series of stand-alone races, no overall champion will be found; instead an elite panel of judges will choose the most outstanding driver of the season who will win a test drive in a Williams F1-designed FIA Formula Two Championship car.