Hitech promotes Nikita Johnson to its F3 line-up
Driver Announcement - F3
Hitech TGR GB3 Championship driver Nikita Johnson will step up to the team’s FIA Formula 3 squad this weekend for Round 7 at the British Grand Prix. The American will drive car number 15, racing alongside Martinius Stenshorne and Gerrard Xie.
The 17-year-old, from Gulfport, Florida, made an instant impression on his F3 debut last weekend at Spielberg, where he competed with another team. He finished his first Sprint Race a creditable 18th out of 30 drivers.
With Jesse Carrasquedo’s two-race agreement having reached its conclusion, Hitech has now promoted Nikita to its F3 team, eager to further evaluate him for additional rounds.
Nikita has been enjoying a successful first full season in GB3 claiming two podiums and a string of points finishes. He currently sits ninth in the Drivers’ Standings.
One of the most exciting new talents to join the series in 2024, Nikita arrived part-way through the season when he had reached his 16th birthday, despite already being a multiple race winner on the IndyCar support bill. He scored a maiden victory in Zandvoort, becoming the youngest-ever race winner in GB3. Concurrently, Nikita became the USF Pro 2000 series Vice-Champion as part of a dual programme in the USA and the UK/Europe, achieving nine wins, 10 podiums, seven pole positions, nine fastest laps, and eight most laps led.
Prior to that, Nikita claimed victories and podiums in USF2000, USF Pro 2000 and USF Juniors, while in YACademy Winter Series F4 he became the youngest-ever winner of a race for contemporary F4 machinery at just 12 years old.
Commenting on his step up to Hitech’s F3 team this weekend, Nikita Johnson said:
“I want to thank Hitech for the faith they have shown in promoting me to their Formula 3 team, which has enjoyed so much success. I feel ready to compete at this level and after a strong debut in the series last week, I’m excited to step up within the Hitech environment and help the team achieve its goals for the second half of the season.”
Paul Bellringer, Hitech's F3 Team Manager:
“We are pleased to see Nikita make the step up from our GB3 team to Hitech’s Formula 3 line-up at this pivotal point in the season. At the age of 17, he already has a remarkable record of success in multiple single-seater championships, and his ability was on full display in Austria last weekend during his impressive F3 debut.”
Paul continued:
“It is intended that Nikita will still feature during the remainder of the GB3 season, but we are delighted to provide him with the opportunity to progress within the Hitech team and unlock even more of his talent.
“We would like to congratulate Jesse Carrasquedo Jr on his own very positive debut in Spain and Austria, and we wish him well for the next stage of his career.”
Round 7 of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, Hitech’s home event, gets underway on Friday 4 July at Silverstone in support of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix.