Nikita Bedrin secured the 2026 GB3 Championship with victory in the opening race of the season finale at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, reclaiming the lead with a decisive move around the outside of Rowan Campbell-Pilling.
The VRD Racing driver needed only a 7th place finish to secure the title. Instead, he delivered his 7th win of the season to put the championship beyond reach with 2 races remaining.
Pole position sets the foundations
Bedrin began the day by claiming his 7th pole position of the season, also securing the Jack Cavill Pole Position Cup.
He faced a strong challenge from GB3 newcomer Lewis Wherrell, who qualified just 0.071 seconds behind for JHR Developments. Elite Motorsport’s Kyuho Lee completed the top 3 ahead of Thomas Ingram Hill, Campbell-Pilling and title contender Deagen Fairclough.
The second qualifying session demonstrated the depth of competition across the grid. Wherrell secured pole for race 2, with the top 5 separated by just 0.069 seconds. Bedrin qualified 6th, only 0.105 seconds away from pole.
A winning response
Despite starting from pole for the opening race, Bedrin lost the lead as Campbell-Pilling launched from 5th to 1st before the opening corner. Lucas Fluxa also made a strong start, moving from 7th to 3rd behind Bedrin.
An early safety car brought the field back together following an incident at turn 1. Campbell-Pilling controlled the restart on lap 5, opening a small advantage, but Bedrin remained within reach.
The defining move came on lap 10. Bedrin committed to the outside of Campbell-Pilling at turn 1, completing the pass to retake the lead. He then built enough of a gap to move clear of DRS range, crossing the line 0.975 seconds ahead to secure victory and the championship.
Campbell-Pilling and Fluxa completed the podium, with Flynn Jackes, Wherrell and Lee rounding out the top 6.
Congratulations from mountune
Winning the title with a race victory was a fitting result for Bedrin, taking his points total to 480 and establishing an unassailable lead at the top of the standings.
Everyone at mountune congratulates Nikita and VRD Racing on securing the 2026 GB3 Drivers’ Championship.
