Fionn McLaughlin to join FIA Formula 3 with Hitech Racing in 2026
British F4 champion Fionn McLaughlin will debut in Formula 3 on Formula 1 weekends in 2026 with Hitech Racing.
From British F4 to FIA Formula 3
British F4 champion Fionn McLaughlin will join Hitech Racing in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship, racing on ten Grand Prix weekends as a support series to Formula 1.
McLaughlin, a 17-year-old Red Bull Junior driver from Northern Ireland, dominated the 2024 British F4 season, securing the title with two races to spare and claiming five wins alongside the rookie crown.
The FIA Formula 3 campaign gets underway in Australia from 6-8 March, where McLaughlin will make his global single-seater debut after just one season of car racing.
Leaping Into the Spotlight
His rapid rise began with a standout performance in a Red Bull shootout in Spain, propelling him from karting to the car ranks. A strong showing in the Formula Winter Series cemented his reputation, leading to a 52.5-point margin in the British F4 title fight.
"This next step is a huge opportunity for me," said McLaughlin. "The competition will be tough, but I feel ready for the challenge. I’ve learned so much this season, from adapting quickly to different circuits to managing race weekend pressures."
McLaughlin will join Hitech teammates Jin Nakamura of Japan and South Korea’s Michael Shin. If he makes the grid, he will become the second Irish driver to compete on an F1 weekend in 2026, following Alex Dunne’s outings with McLaren.
McLaughlin’s leap from karting to FIA Formula 3 after a single season of car racing highlights his exceptional talent and rapid progression within the Red Bull Junior programme.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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