Derbyshire-based BRDC British Formula 3 Championship team Hillspeed says it wishes Bahraini racing driver Ali Al Khalifa the very best of luck for his future after the 20-year-old confirmed he has taken the decision to put his racing career on hold.

After a year away from competitive action, the Middle Eastern driver made a return to the track with a debut appearance in British F3 with Hillspeed at Oulton Park over the Bank Holiday weekend in May – his maiden visit to the notoriously challenging Cheshire track.

At one of the truest tests of driver skill in the country, Al Khalifa made strong progress over the course of the race weekend and showed good promise.

Hillspeed team principal Richard Ollerenshaw is, of course, disappointed the Bahraini won’t be returning to the track to build on the solid foundations laid at Oulton Park but says the team fully accepts Al Khalifa’s decision to put his motorsports career on hold for the immediate future.

“We’re obviously very sad to see Ali put his racing on hold, but we fully respect his decision and wish him the very best for the future”, said Ollerenshaw, “He did a good job coming into the championship as an F3 rookie, having been away from racing for a year and get into the car at Oulton Park, it is a huge ask of any driver.

“Tracks in the UK don’t come any more challenging than Oulton, so Ali should be very satisfied with the pace he showed and the steps forward he made with the team considering the very limited time he had in the car. We would have obviously liked to be back in action again with Ali to build on the work done at Oulton Park, but we thank him for choosing to race with Hillspeed and wish him well.”