Nakamura scores F3 Sprint points in Monaco
Hitech’s FIA Formula 3 campaign continued on the streets of Monte Carlo as the team’s three drivers got their first taste of Monaco, one of the most demanding and unforgiving challenges they will face in their debut season.
Jin Nakamura brought home a points finish in the Sprint Race to lead the team’s efforts on the streets of the Principality.
HOW THINGS UNFOLDED
Qualifying
Qualifying was split into two 16-minute sessions, with Fionn McLaughlin running in Group A, while Jin Nakamura and Michael Shin competed in Group B.
Jin led the Hitech charge in Group B, securing P8 in class which translated to P15 on the combined grid. Fionn McLaughlin’s session in Group A was compromised after clipping the barrier at Turn 7, leaving him P28 on the combined classification despite showing encouraging pace earlier in the weekend. Michael Shin qualified P15 in Group B, placing him P29 overall.
Sprint Race
The Sprint Race was immediately interrupted by a red flag following a multi-car incident at the Fairmont Hairpin on the opening lap.
All three Hitech drivers avoided the chaos and made early progress before the stoppage. Nakamura climbed from P15 to P11, McLaughlin moved from P28 to P24, and Shin was one of the standout gainers of the opening lap, rising from P29 to P16 before the race was neutralised.
Following the restart, the race converted to a timed event due to the lengthy delay, increasing the importance of track position on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are extremely limited.
At the flag, Jin Nakamura secured a strong P8 finish to score four points, while Michael Shin completed a solid recovery drive to P14. Fionn McLaughlin brought his car home P21 after a valuable but challenging race in the tight midfield battle.
Following the application of post-Sprint penalties, Jin Nakamura, Fionn McLaughlin and Michael Shin were promoted to P7, P13 and P18 respectively.
Jin Nakamura:
“I'm happy to have my first experience of this very special circuit, which has been a big learning experience, especially at this early stage of the season. Today was tough but I'm happy to have scored points in the Sprint Race and hope we can maintain the momentum heading into Barcelona.”
Feature Race
Sunday’s Feature Race began with immediate drama, as a Safety Car was deployed at the end of Lap 1 following an incident elsewhere on the circuit. At the time of neutralisation, Nakamura was running P15, with McLaughlin and Shin circulating in P25 and P27.
Nakamura’s race was then compromised when he pitted at the end of Lap 2 for front wing repairs, dropping him to the back of the field and forcing the Japanese driver into recovery mode around the streets of Monte Carlo.
The Safety Car remained in place until the end of Lap 4, after which the restart brought further setbacks for Shin, who was handed a 10-second stop-and-go penalty.
From there, all three drivers battled through a disrupted race, with limited opportunities to recover positions on a circuit where overtaking is at a premium.
At the flag, McLaughlin came home P21, with Nakamura classified P23 and Shin P26 after difficult afternoons in the Principality.
While the results did not fully reflect the effort shown across the weekend, Monaco provided another valuable learning experience for all three drivers. The streets of Monte Carlo delivered one of the toughest tests of the season, and the team leaves the Principality with hard-earned experience that will be vital for the rounds ahead.
We go again in just one week’s time at the Circuit de Catalunya.