British F4 champion Fionn McLaughlin will step up to race in Formula 3 in 2026.
The move with Hitech Racing will see the 17-year-old from Northern Ireland support Formula 1 on 10 Grand Prix weekends.
Red Bull Junior driver McLaughlin dominated the British F4 season in his first season of car racing as he secured the title with two races to spare.
He picked up five victories on his way to the title, and also secured the rookie championship.
Racing on Formula 1 weekends, McLaughlin’s Formula 3 campaign will begin in Australia from 6-8 March.
“This next step is a huge opportunity for me,” said McLaughlin.
“The competition will be tough, but I feel ready for the challenge. I’ve learned so much this season, from adapting quickly to different circuits and managing the pressures of race weekends, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward and proving myself.
“My goal is to continue progressing and make the most of every chance I get on the path to Formula 1.”
It is a big move for McLaughlin, who will jump straight onto the world stage after just one season of single-seater racing.
The teenager caught the eye of Red Bull after impressing in a shoot out in Spain in August 2024 and that helped him take the step out of karting and into car racing.
After a solid Formula Winter Series showing, he then dominated British F4 to win the title by 52.5 points and the manner in which he won the title has encouraged Red Bull, Hitech and McLaughlin’s team that he is ready to skip a second season of domestic racing and leap into Formula 3.
“I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve achieved this year – it’s already been a whirlwind journey from karting to single-seaters, and now stepping up to FIA Formula 3 with Hitech is a dream come true,” McLaughlin said.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, especially Hitech and the Red Bull Junior Team for their trust and belief in my potential.”
McLaughlin is set to become the second Irish driver to compete on a Formula 1 weekend in 2026.
Alex Dunne, who also won the British F4 title in 2022, impressed for McLaren in Formula 1 free practice outings earlier this season and has been linked with a move to Red Bull ahead of the 2026 Formula 2 season.
