Epping’s Ayrton Simmons has confirmed that he will return to the BRDC British F3 Championship in 2019.

The all-time highest points scorer in British F4 history competed in British F3 at Spa Francorchamps, Donnington Park and Silverstone in 2018 and will making his return with the Chris Dittmann Racing team with whom he contested these rounds.

The 17-year-old’s excellent debut performance added to a runner-up spot in the F4 British Championship, taking four wins along the way which included a double from the opening round at Brands Hatch as well as a further eight podiums.

Simmons’ single-seater career started in 2016 when, despite missing the first six races, he went on to become the vice-champion of the British F4 Rookie Cup, and he placed seventh overall in his first full season in 2017, including a maiden victory at Brands Hatch and five additional podium finishes.

On his return, Simmons said: “I’m really looking forward to my first full season in BRDC British F3 and I’m very happy to be returning with Chris Dittmann Racing (CDR) in what is a fantastic car to drive. CDR really helped me to make a very quick adaptation to the car last year, and our results were incredible when you consider the amount of testing we were able to do compared to other drivers.

“With a bit of seat time and good experience of the car, I hope we can challenge for wins and maybe even the title in 2019. I am also extremely grateful to DWS Ltd for their continued support and Adrian Flux for their help.”

Team Principal Chris Dittmann said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have completed this deal with Ayrton for the 2019 BRDC British F3 Championship. In the races he did with us last year, he showed some amazing speed and a demonstration of what our car is capable of.

“It’s a pleasure to be working with a driver of his potential and we believe we’re going to be scoring some very strong results this year.”