F3 squad heads home for Silverstone showdown
Round 5 – Silverstone – Preview
We’re home. Silverstone marks Round 5 of the FIA Formula 3 Championship this weekend, as Hitech heads into its home event right on the team’s doorstep.
Fresh from Jin Nakamura’s maiden FIA Formula 3 podium and an 18-point haul at the Red Bull Ring, the team arrives at the British Grand Prix aiming to build on that momentum at a circuit that holds special significance for everyone across the organisation.
A lot of work has gone on since the last event to ensure the team is in the best possible position to deliver a strong showing on home soil.
Racing in front of home support adds extra significance to the weekend, with Hitech looking to continue the progress shown in Austria as the championship reaches its halfway stage.
Silverstone is one of the most iconic circuits on the FIA Formula 3 calendar. Measuring 5.891km, the former airfield layout combines long straights with a sequence of high-speed corners that place a premium on aerodynamic performance and driver confidence.
The opening sector features the heavy braking zones of Abbey, Village and The Loop before the lap opens into the sweeping Maggotts, Becketts and Chapel sequence, one of the most demanding combinations in motorsport.
From there, the Hangar Straight provides a key overtaking opportunity into Stowe, before the lap concludes through Vale and Club, where strong traction onto the pit straight can prove decisive.
High ambient temperatures are expected to place an even greater emphasis on tyre management, with drivers needing to balance outright pace against preserving performance across both races.
Jin Nakamura arrives at the team’s home race carrying strong momentum after securing his maiden FIA Formula 3 podium in Austria, followed by a strong fifth-place finish in the Feature Race to bank 18 points across the weekend.
Fionn McLaughlin will be aiming to convert encouraging race pace into a more complete weekend after showing consistent progress through the field in Spielberg, while Michael Shin will be targeting a clean and competitive showing following an unfortunate end to his Feature Race last time out.
With confidence growing after its strongest weekend of the season so far, Hitech will be looking to carry that trajectory forward at one of the most important events of the year.
Paul Bellringer, Hitech’s F3 Team Manager:
“Spielberg was an important step forward for the team and it was great to see Jin secure his first FIA Formula 3 podium, along with strong points in the Feature Race.
Paul added:
“Silverstone is a special weekend for everyone given how close we are to our base, so there’s naturally a bit more anticipation going into it. The focus is on building on what we did in Austria and making sure we put ourselves in the best possible position across all three cars.”
