Jayden Ojeda joins Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport

Jayden Ojeda has joined Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport and will line up alongside Ross Poulakis for the remainder of the 2023 Fanatec GT World Challenge Australia powered by AWS season.

After a seat fitting with the team in Sydney this week, the Bathurst 6 Hour winner will take to the team’s Mercedes-AMG GT3 at the second round of the Championship in Perth next weekend (April 28-30).

The arrival of Ojeda has injected a huge amount of energy into the team as it looks towards challenging for the GT Championship this year.

One of the hottest prospects in Australian motorsport will bring ‘The Juice’ to the team according to Co-Team Principal Chris Papadopolous.

“Jayden brings something particularly special to our team, he has a unique energy and just having him in our Sydney workshop with Ross and Chris (Batzios) gives us a huge momentum heading to Perth,” said Papadopoulos. “We rate him very highly and we can’t wait to see what he can do in our Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 - no pressure, it will be his first time in a GT3 car and first time at Wanneroo!

“We’re incredibly happy to have Jayden on our team.”

In the youngster’s inimitable style, Ojeda has already dubbed the team the ‘Greek Freaks’ referencing his own, Poulakis, Papadopoulos and team-mate Chris Batzios’ Greek cultural backgrounds, which has already added to the team’s way of doing things left of centre (expect some plate smashing!).

Ojeda comes to Volante Rosso Motorsport after being in the Matt Stone Racing Bathurst 1000 program last year off the back of an elite junior Australian Kart Championship, he’s also represented Australia at the Rotax World Finals before embarking on a career in Formula Ford, Formula 4, Super 3 and Super 2 Supercars competition.

The Perth event is the start of a tremendous opportunity for Ojeda to take on some of the best Supercars racers in Australia and GT racers in the world, along with getting an introduction to the rich bloodline of the AMG Customer Sports family, which has seen Volante Rosso alumni Jordan Love promoted to the factory platform this year.

Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport has landed a new Mercedes-AMG GT3 this week for Batzios. He won’t take part in the Perth event, however will be back in action in Phillip Island with Sam Brabham who will re-join the team, nevertheless the spectacular machine in its new livery will be on display at Wanneroo.

The team will start practice with Ojeda and Poulakis on Friday April 28, before getting into the two races across the weekend.

QUOTEBOARD - JAYDEN OJEDA

“What a great opportunity this is, really excited to be joining the team at Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport,” said Ojeda. “It is a terrific opportunity to be racing alongside Ross (Poulakis) in the awesome Mercedes-AMG GT3.

“We’re pretty much the Greek Freaks with myself, Ross, Chris Papadopoulos and Chris Batzios - there’s a lot going on with our collective backgrounds, so we’ve all been in here wishing each other happy (orthodox Greek) Easter.

“I’ve not raced a GT3 car before or at Wanneroo, but we’ll head there and see what we can do. I’ve got all the tools around me, there is a great feeling around the team and we just want to bring it and get the Championship on track for Ross and chase it.”

“As always thank you to my loyal partners, City Hino, Johnny H, AJM Transport, Atkinson Pontifex & That Patio Guy”

QUOTEBOARD - ROSS POULAKIS

“Our team at Harrolds Volante Rosso Motorsport is excited to welcome Jayden Ojeda on board and his experience across multiple categories,” said Ross Poulakis. “We’re here for success and have a team around us that wants to achieve success.

“I think Jayden adds a different energy to our team, he’s a talent which has been recognised by Chris and Josh and I think that he can propel us to the front.

“Our team has some lofty ambitions and bringing Jayden on board will help the team. His experience not just as a racer, but as a driver coach will help me move forward and hopefully we’ll be in position to challenge for the title come the end of the year.”