A SUPRISE RETURN

Race Report: Harry George's Surprise Return to the Caterham 270R Championship at Brands Hatch

This past weekend, fans of the Caterham series were treated to a surprise appearance as Harry George returned to the grid, joining the second-to-last round of the Caterham 270R Championship at Brands Hatch as a guest driver. After spending the past two years in a GT4 car, Harry’s decision to step back into a Caterham sparked excitement—and curiosity.

Friday Testing: Easing Back into the Caterham Groove

Friday’s testing sessions served as a critical warm-up for Harry. Jumping back into the Caterham after years in GT4 meant re-familiarizing himself with the car’s unique handling characteristics, including mastering the heel-and-toe technique—a must for smooth shifting in these lightweight machines. His times were competitive from the outset, setting a solid foundation for the weekend ahead. Harry quickly showed that, despite the break, his Caterham instincts were as sharp as ever.

Saturday Qualifying

Qualifying on Saturday morning presented drivers with mixed conditions, as a greasy, drying track left teams debating setups. With rain still threatening but a dry line beginning to form, Harry made the bold decision to go with a dry setup. That choice paid off, as he managed to snatch P3 on the grid, just 0.2 seconds off pole. It was an impressive effort, given the challenging conditions and his limited recent experience in the car, and set him up well for the first race.

Race 1: A Return to Wheel-to-Wheel Action, Finishing in P3

Race 1 saw Harry re-acclimatize to the close, bumper-to-bumper action that the Caterham series is known for. With drivers all within reach of one another’s slipstreams, it was a thrilling display of racing finesse. Harry spent the race dicing it out with the front pack, showing no signs of rust as he fought his way to a hard-earned P3 at the checkered flag.

Race 2: A Battle for P2, Interrupted by Contact

Sunday’s Race 2 brought even more intensity as Harry continued his battle with the series’ top drivers. Running in P2 for most of the race, Harry was chasing down the leader and holding his own until championship leader Ben Timmons made an optimistic lunge down the inside in the final laps. The contact left Harry unable to hold onto P2, crossing the line in a still impressive P3. Despite the setback, it was clear that Harry’s pace was right on par with the top contenders.

Race 3: Chaos on Track and a P2 Finish

The final race was a thriller from start to finish, with chaos erupting right from the green flag. Wheel-to-wheel action and a yellow flag in the opening laps kept drivers on their toes, and Harry was right in the thick of it. He managed to hold onto the leaders throughout the race, crossing the line in P2. In a turn of events, the leader was later penalized for a flag infringement, promoting Harry to a well-deserved P1.

A Triumphant Return and Proof of Adaptability

This weekend was more than just a one-off return for Harry; it was a testament to his adaptability and skill as a driver. Stepping back into the Caterham 270R—amidst a competitive field and championship battle—Harry proved that he’s not only still sharp but can compete at the front in any car. With two P3 finishes and a promoted P1, his performance highlighted his versatility and ability to readapt quickly to the unique demands of Caterham racing.