Hitech targets strong start to 2026 F3 campaign in Melbourne
Round 1 - Melbourne - Preview
The 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship kicks off this weekend at Albert Park, and Hitech heads to the iconic season opener with determination and full focus. After plenty of pre-season preparation work – at testing in Barcelona, and in the sim and gym – the team is ready to translate winter work into competitive performance.
With Michael Shin returning to the car after recovery from injury, rookie Fionn McLaughlin stepping up to FIA Formula 3, and Formula Regional graduate Jin Nakamura bringing confidence from pre-season testing, Hitech has a strong driver line-up ready to tackle the demanding Albert Park circuit.
Car numbers for the Hitech line-up:
#23 – Michael Shin
#24 – Fionn McLaughlin
#25 – Jin Nakamura
Michael Shin: back on track after injury
Michael Shin suffered a collarbone injury six weeks ago but is now cleared to compete in his F3 debut at Melbourne.
Michael Shin:
“It’s been a tough few weeks recovering from my injury, but I’m really happy to be back and ready for my first full season in Formula 3. I’m grateful to my doctors, family, and the Hitech team for all their support. This weekend at Melbourne marks a fresh start, and I’m excited to get back on track and give everything I have to make the most of this opportunity.”
Fionn McLaughlin: excited for the step up
For rookie Fionn McLaughlin, Melbourne provides the perfect stage for his first competitive FIA F3 weekend. After a successful junior formula campaign, McLaughlin is eager to test himself against the field and extract as much as possible from his car and team.
Fionn McLaughlin:
“Moving into F3 is a big step up from British F4, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge. I want to learn as much as I can, race hard, and make the most of every lap. Albert Park is demanding, it’s fast, and there’s a lot to take in – but that’s exactly where I want to be.”
Fionn took part in the Formula Oceania Trophy over the winter, which provided valuable race experience ahead of his FIA Formula 3 challenge. He gained important insights into braking, aerodynamics, and tyre behaviour, preparation that will help him throughout the race weekend.
Jin Nakamura: confident and prepared
Alongside Michael and Fionn in the Hitech garage is Jin Nakamura, who heads into Melbourne well-prepared following pre-season testing.
Jin Nakamura:
“I feel really positive about what we’ve achieved in testing. There’s pace in the car, and we’ve worked well as a team to be ready for the season ahead. Now it’s about turning that preparation into performance on track in Melbourne.”
Jin will be looking to combine consistency and pace through qualifying and both the Sprint and Feature races to challenge at the front in a competitive field.
Albert Park: a technical and evolving season opener
Albert Park sets the scene for Round 1 of the FIA F3 season. The 5.278km semi-permanent layout blends high-speed sections with heavy braking zones and tight corners, demanding precision, balance, and focus.
The track evolves significantly over the weekend as rubber is laid down, making adaptability critical. Fast direction changes through Turns 9 and 10, heavy braking zones into Turns 1 and 3, and long flowing sections that reward momentum all require drivers to be fully alert and confident. A tidy qualifying will be especially important in F3, where the field is tight and overtaking opportunities are limited.
Team Perspective
Lights out at Albert Park marks the beginning of an exciting new season – and Hitech is ready to make its mark.
Clive Hatton, Hitech’s Deputy Team Principal:
“Melbourne is always a unique test – the track, the evolving conditions, and the intensity of the opening weekend make it demanding. Michael has shown incredible determination returning from injury, Fionn is stepping into F3 with real ambition, and Jin has built strong pace during testing. Our focus now is on executing cleanly, understanding how the track develops, and putting ourselves in a position to score points from the very first session.”