Young-gun Brodie Norris is making a serious impression in his first year of open-wheel racing as part of the inaugural Australian Formula Open.
At only 15 years of age, Norris is currently leading the AF04 standings with six race wins in only eight starts, sitting equal on points with Kristian Janev after the former missed the opening round of the season.
Having previously competed as part of the Hyundai Excels, the Queenslander is getting his first taste of open-wheel racing action against some of the best-performing Formula 3 entries the country has to offer.
Despite being behind the wheel of an F4, Norris has been able to keep in touch with the faster cars ahead, pushing himself to greater levels, as well as developing greater racing craft and awareness along the way.
Since joining the category in April, Norris has relished the opportunity to race in the new open wheel category and will continue to use 2023 as a learning experience.
“It’s been really good, I have really enjoyed being able to be up there with the F3’s and get as close I can to battle with them, they push me to be better and go harder,” Norris said.
“The category has been awesome; I am glad they started it back up and I’m looking forward to seeing where they take it in the future.
“The whole plan was for us to use this year as a learning opportunity for next year, we are looking at the F4 route overseas and I have had Adam Gotch helping me out and prepare.
“It has shown me how to race and raise my awareness in a racing situation, I have previously raced in Excels but this this has given me an open mind on how the open wheel cars are driving.
“I have people around me always helping me out, giving me advice and doing work on the sim, it’s been really good.”
With only two rounds remaining in the season, Norris will work hard to ensure he takes the AF04 class title but will ultimately focus on enjoying the experience.
“Obviously I’d like to win AGI, but I am just enjoying being out on track and going up against the F3,” Norris explained.
“I am looking forward to showing people what I’m doing and what the category is doing in the spotlight when we join the SpeedSeries at Sandown.
“I have never been there before, but I am looking forward to going there next week and doing some testing and getting underway on race weekend.”
September will be a busy month for the young Australian, with a trip to Malaysia also planned as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy Asia Pacific and Oceania Selection Program.
Norris was one of 25 applicants selected to take part in the prestigious event, that will see him up against fellow AF04 rivals and AGI Sport teammates Kristian Janev and Peter Bouzinelos, where he will look to make the most of the opportunity.
“Joining the FDA is going to be an awesome experience, even if I don’t make it through to the next stage my plan is to put my hardest in and see what happens,” Norris added.
“I am going there more for experience to get a gauge of where I am at in terms of the competition, it’s not going to be a walk in the park and I’m going to have to put my all into it. I can’t wait to get started.”
The Australian Formula Open will be one of six national categories to form part of the Shannons SpeedSeries at Sandown International Raceway in September, joining the Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series, National Trans Am Series, Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, MARC Cars Australia and the combined Mobil 1 Australian Production Car Series and Monochrome GT4 Australia Series.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at motorsporttickets.com.au.
Australian Formula Open will hold its fifth round of the 2023 season at Sandown International Raceway on 8-10 September.