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Matthew Richard Bell

{{short description|British racing driver (born 1990)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox racing driver

| name = Matthew Richard Bell

| image = File:2024 4 Hours of Le Castellet 17.jpg

| imagesize =

| caption = Bell at Circuit Paul Ricard in 2024

| nationality = {{flagicon|GBR}} British

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|03|31|df=y}}

| birth_place = Winchester, England

| related to =

| racing licence = 12px FIA Silver {{small|(2022)}}
12px FIA Bronze {{small|(2023–2024)}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/10/07/2023-fia-driver-rankings-published.html|title=2023 FIA Driver Rankings Published|website=Dailysportscar|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=7 October 2022|access-date=14 March 2025}}

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Matthew Richard Bell (born 31 March 1990{{cite news|url=https://www.europeanlemansseries.com/pilot/10892?year=2024|title=Matthew Richard Bell|work=europeanlemansseries.com|access-date=8 April 2025}}) is a British racing driver who last competed for EuroInternational in the LMP3 class of the European Le Mans Series.{{cite news|url=https://www.motorsport.com/elms/news/how-a-victim-of-mistaken-identity-has-forged-a-renaissance-in-sportscars/10676924/|title=How a victim of mistaken identity has forged a renaissance in sportscars|website=motorsport.com|date=27 November 2024|access-date=8 April 2025}}

Bell also represented Great Britain in the 2010 ISSF World Shooting Championships, finishing 13th in the Double Trap Men Junior Individual competition.{{cite news|url=https://motorsportuk.weebly.com/matt-r-bell.html|title=MATT R BELL #53|website=motorsportuk.weebly.com|access-date=21 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://backoffice.issf-sports.org/media/calendar/2010/909/completeresult/WCH_ALL_GER_Complete_Results_100810.pdf|title=50th ISSF World Championship|website=backoffice.issf-sports.org|access-date=21 April 2025}}

Early career

Following a karting career headlined by winning the 2005 Super 1 National Junior TKM Extreme championship, Bell stepped up to single-seaters in 2007, racing in Formula BMW UK on a part-time basis before racing sporadically in Formula Palmer Audi and Formula BMW Europe until 2012. After competing in the Radical Clubman's Cup in 2012, Bell returned to single-seaters the following year, joining the inaugural season of the BRDC Formula 4 Championship as a privateer with sponsorship from E-Lites.{{cite news|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2012/11/matt-bell-joins-formula-4-as-privateer/|title=Matt Bell Joins Formula 4 As Privateer|website=thecheckeredflag.co.uk|date=7 November 2012|access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10580954.sponsorship-deal-is-the-perfect-formula/|title=Sponsorship deal is the perfect Formula|website=dailyecho.co.uk|date=30 July 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}}

Winning the championship's first ever race at Silverstone,{{cite news|url=https://formulascout.com/privateer-bell-wins-first-ever-brdc-f4-race-after-two-jakes-collide/6739|title=Privateer Bell wins first ever BRDC F4 race after two Jakes collide|website=formulascout.com|date=27 April 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/10402063.great-start-for-hampshire-driver/|title=Great start for Hampshire driver|website=dailyecho.co.uk|date=7 May 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}} Bell won at Brands Hatch and Oulton Park before joining Douglas Motorsport for the final three rounds of the season.{{cite news|url=https://formulascout.com/bell-and-robertson-claim-sunday-wins-at-brands-hatch/7499|title=Bell and Robertson claim Sunday wins at Brands Hatch|website=formulascout.com|date=19 May 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://formulascout.com/bell-notches-up-brdc-f4-win-number-three/8679|title=Bell notches up BRDC F4 win number three|website=formulascout.com|date=6 July 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2013/08/title-battle-taking-shape-as-f4-returns-to-silverstone/|title=Title Battle Taking Shape As F4 Returns To Silverstone|website=thecheckeredflag.co.uk|date=15 August 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}} Finishing no higher than seventh in the last six races, Bell ended the season eighth in points.{{cite news|url=https://formulascout.com/2013-brdc-formula-4-championship-season-review/11049|title=2013 BRDC Formula 4 Championship season review|website=formulascout.com|date=24 October 2013|access-date=8 April 2025}}

Prototype career

During 2022, Bell was set to make his LMP3 debut at the 4 Hours of Monza, but was replaced by Jérôme de Sadeleer ahead of the event as it emerged that he was rated as an FIA Silver instead of a Bronze.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/07/01/elms-paddock-notes-eurointernational-target-daytona-prema-test-shunt-yet-another-matt-bell.html|title=ELMS Paddock Notes: EuroInternational Target Daytona, Prema Test Shunt, Yet Another Matt Bell|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=1 July 2022|publisher=Dailysportscar|access-date=8 April 2025}}

After being classified as Bronze ahead of the 2023 season, Bell joined EuroInternational to compete in LMP3 class of the 2023 European Le Mans Series alongside Adam Ali.{{cite news|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/02/06/european-le-mans-series-confirm-42-car-full-season-entry.html|title=European Le Mans Series Confirm 42 Car Full Season Entry|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=6 February 2023|publisher=Dailysportscar|access-date=8 April 2025}} Scoring his first LMP3 podium at Spa,{{cite news|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/09/24/algarve-pro-racing-wins-incident-packed-4h-spa.html|title=Algarve Pro Racing Wins Incident-Packed 4H Spa *UPDATED*|last=Kilbey|first=Stephen|date=24 September 2023|publisher=Dailysportscar|access-date=8 April 2025}} Bell took his maiden series win at the finale in Portimão and ended the season runner-up in points.{{cite news|url=https://www.eurointernationalgroup.com/european-le-mans-series/bell-ali-conquered-first-win-and-2nd-place-championship/|title=First win of the season and 2nd place in the championship|date=22 October 2023|publisher=eurointernationalgroup.com|access-date=8 April 2025}}

In 2024, Bell returned to EuroInternational for his sophomore season in European Le Mans Series alongside Adam Ali.{{cite news |last=Goodwin |first=Graham |date=4 December 2023 |title=43 Car Entry Confirmed For 2024 European Le Mans Series |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2023/12/04/43-car-entry-confirmed-for-2024-european-le-mans-series.html |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=Dailysportscar}} Bell won at Imola and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps to once again finish runner-up in the LMP3 standings.{{cite news |last=Kilbey |first=Stephen |date=7 July 2024 |title=AO By TF Scores Crucial Imola Victory As P2 Title Race Heats Up (UPDATED) Panis Racing Reinstated |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/07/07/panis-racing-scores-crucial-imola-victory-as-p2-title-race-heats-up.html |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=Dailysportscar}}{{cite news |last=Kilbey |first=Stephen |date=25 August 2024 |title=AO By TF Grasps Championship Lead With 4H Spa Victory |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/08/25/ao-by-tf-grasps-championship-lead-with-4h-spa-victory.html |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=Dailysportscar}}{{cite news |last1=Goodwin |first1=Graham |last2=Little |first2=Martin |last3=Kilbey |first3=Stephen |date=19 October 2024 |title=COOL ORECA Victorious As Champions Crowned In 4H Portimão |url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/10/19/cool-oreca-victorious-as-champions-crowned-in-4h-portimao.html |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=Dailysportscar}}

Bell was originally set to return to EuroInternational for a third season in the European Le Mans Series,{{cite web|url=https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/12/03/record-44-car-grid-for-2025-european-le-mans-series-revealed.html|title=Record 44 Car Grid for 2025 European Le Mans Series Revealed|website=Dailysportscar|last=Goodwin|first=Graham|date=3 December 2024|access-date=8 April 2025}} but was replaced by Fabien Michal before the season started.{{cite news|url=https://en.endurance-info.com/auto/article/115412-eurointernational-elms-grid-aguilera-gravlund-and-michal|title=Eurointernational on the ELMS grid with Aguilera, Gravlund and Michal|website=Endurance-Info|date=13 February 2025|access-date=8 April 2025}}

Karting record

= Karting career summary =

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 85%; text-align:center"

!Season

!Series

!Team

!Position

2002

| align="left" |Super 1 National Championship - TKM Junior

| align="left" |

| style="background:#;" |20th

rowspan="2"|2005

| align="left" |Renault Elite League – Super Libre

| align="left" |

| style="background:#;" |13th

align="left" |Super 1 National Championship Junior TKM Extreme Championship

| align="left" |

| style="background:#FFFFBF;" |1st

2006

| align="left" |Super 1 National Championship Formula TKM Extreme Championship

| align="left" |

| style="background:#ffdf9f;" |3rd

colspan="4" |Sources:

Racing record

=Racing career summary=

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%; text-align:center"

!Season

!Series

!Team

!Races

!Wins

!Poles

!F/Laps

!Podiums

!Points

!Position

rowspan="2"|2007

| align=left| Formula BMW UK

| align=left rowspan="2"| Motaworld Racing

| 6

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 90

| 18th

align=left| Formula BMW World Final

| 1

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| N/A

| 15th

2008

| align=left| Formula Palmer Audi Autumn Trophy

| align=left|

| 5

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 16

| 21st

2009

| align=left| Formula BMW Europe

| align=left| Motaworld Racing

| 2

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 27th

2010

| align=left| Formula Palmer Audi

| align=left|

| 3

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 31

| 20th

rowspan="2"|2012

| align=left| Performance Direct Radical Clubman's Cup

| align=left rowspan="2"| RAW Motorsport

| 13

| 6

| 7

| 6

| 12

| 277

| style="background:#ffdf9f;"| 3rd

align=left| Radical UK Cup - Supersport

| 2

| 1

| 1

| 0

| 2

| 0

| NC

rowspan="2"|2013

| align=left rowspan="2"| BRDC Formula 4 Championship

| align=left| MattRBellRacing Team E-Lites

| 15

| 3

| 2

| 1

| 3

| rowspan="2"|288

| rowspan="2"|8th

align=left| Douglas Team E-Lites

| 9

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 0

2015

| align=left| Radical Enduro Championship

| align=left| Nielsen Racing

| 5

| 0

| 0

| 0

| 2

| 267

| 5th

2021

| align=left| Radical Challenge Championship - Solo Challenge

| align=left| RAW Motorsport

| 15

| 9

| 9

| 7

| 13

| 724

| style="background:#FFFFBF;"|1st

2023

| align=left| European Le Mans Series – LMP3

| align=left| EuroInternational

| 6

| 1

| 0

| 1

| 2

| 70

| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|2nd

2024

| align=left| European Le Mans Series – LMP3

| align=left| EuroInternational

| 6

| 2

| 0

| 0

| 4

| 98

| style="background:#dfdfdf;"|2nd

colspan="10" |Sources:{{Cite web |title=Matt R Bell {{!}} Racing career profile {{!}} Driver Database |url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/matthew-bell|access-date=5 April 2025 |website=www.driverdb.com}}{{Cite web |title=Matt Richard Bell {{!}} Racing career profile {{!}} Driver Database |url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/matthew-bell-581838508|access-date=5 April 2025 |website=www.driverdb.com}}

= Complete BRDC Formula 4 Championship results =

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate points for the fastest lap of top ten finishers)

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"

! Year

! Team

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! 17

! 18

! 19

! 20

! 21

! 22

! 23

! 24

! DC

! Points

rowspan="2"|2013

! MattRBellRacing Team E-Lites

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| SIL1
1
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SIL1
2
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SIL1
3
{{small|5}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRH1
1
{{small|8}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| BRH1
2
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRH1
3
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SNE1
1
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#FFFFFF;"| SNE1
2
{{small|DNS}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| SNE1
3
{{small|Ret}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| OUL
1
{{small|8}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| OUL
2
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| OUL
3
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRH2
1
{{small|10}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRH2
2
{{small|Ret}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRH2
3
{{small|12}}

!colspan="9"|

!rowspan="2" style="background:#;"| 8th

!rowspan="2" style="background:#;"| 288

Douglas Team E-Lites

!colspan="15"|

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SIL2
1
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SIL2
2
{{small|15}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SIL2
3
{{small|12}}

|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| SNE2
1
{{small|Ret}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SNE2
2
{{small|15}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| SNE2
3
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DON
1
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DON
2
{{small|11}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DON
3
{{small|8}}

=Complete European Le Mans Series results=

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"

! Year

! Entrant

! Class

! Chassis

! Engine

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! Rank

! Points

2023

! EuroInternational

! LMP3

! Ligier JS P320

! Nissan VK56DE 5.6L V8

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CAT
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| LEC
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ARA
{{small|5}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| SPA
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| PRT
{{small|9}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| ALG
{{small|1}}

! style="background:#DFDFDF;"| 2nd

! style="background:#DFDFDF;"| 70

2024

!nowrap| EuroInternational

! LMP3

!nowrap| Ligier JS P320

!nowrap| Nissan VK56DE 5.6L V8

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CAT
{{small|3}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| LEC
{{small|4}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| IMO
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#FFFFBF;"| SPA
{{small|1}}

|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MUG
{{small|7}}

|style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ALG
{{small|3}}

! style="background:#DFDFDF;"| 2nd

! style="background:#DFDFDF;"| 98

References

{{reflist|30em}}

External links

  • {{DriverDB driver|matthew-bell}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Matthew Richard}}

Category:1990 births

Category:Living people

Category:English racing drivers

Category:European Le Mans Series drivers

Category:Sportspeople from Winchester

Category:Formula Palmer Audi drivers

Category:Formula BMW UK drivers

Category:Formula BMW Europe drivers

Category:BRDC British Formula 3 Championship drivers

Category:EuroInternational drivers