F3 squad return to Barcelona for Round 3

The action in Spain comes just five days after the chequered flag fell in Monaco, marking the second event of a double-header and the latest stop in a busy spell of four races in five weeks.

After the unique challenge of Monte Carlo, the team will be looking to build on the lessons learned in the Principality and continue making progress as the championship gathers momentum.

The contrast between the two circuits could hardly be greater. While Monaco’s narrow streets reward precision and punish even the smallest mistakes, Barcelona is regarded as one of the most representative circuits on the calendar and a true benchmark for both car and driver performance.

Jin Nakamura continues to lead the Hitech charge after scoring points for the second successive round. The Japanese driver added to the those he collected in Melbourne with another strong finish in the Monaco Sprint Race and will be aiming to maintain that momentum as the championship heads to Spain.

Monaco proved a challenging weekend for the team, with the unique characteristics of the historic street circuit making it difficult for Fionn McLaughlin and Michael Shin to fully demonstrate the progress made since the opening round. Barcelona, however, offers a much clearer reference point.

The team completed extensive running at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during pre-season testing, providing valuable data and experience that can be used to evaluate developments made to the car since the Spielberg test and help unlock further performance.

At 4.657km in length, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is widely considered one of the most complete tests on the FIA Formula 3 calendar. Featuring a combination of long straights, high-speed corners, and technical low-speed sections, it places significant demands on both car balance and tyre management.

Modifications to the final sector in 2023 increased the circuit’s high-speed nature, with the removal of the former chicane creating a faster and more flowing conclusion to the lap. As a result, tyre degradation remains a key factor, particularly through the circuit’s many long, loaded corners.

Drivers will use the Hard compound tyre this weekend, with warm temperatures expected to aid tyre preparation while also increasing the challenge of managing wear across both races.

Overtaking opportunities are more plentiful than in Monaco, with Turn 1 at the end of the main straight offering the best chance to make progress. Turn 10 provides another potential passing opportunity later in the lap.

Having gathered valuable experience during pre-season testing and shown encouraging signs of progress through the opening rounds, Hitech arrives in Barcelona determined to build on the lessons of Monaco and convert its potential into stronger results.

“After the long gap between Melbourne and Monaco, this has been the first real quick turnaround of the season for the team,” said Paul Bellringer, Hitech’s FIA F3 Team Manager. “We’ve worked hard during the opening part of the season and we feel we are beginning to move in a positive direction.”

Paul continued:

“We know the challenges this circuit presents, particularly in terms of tyre management, but it is also a venue where drivers can really build confidence and rhythm. We’re looking forward to getting back on track and seeing what we can achieve this weekend.”