Hitech leaves the 2026 F1 Academy Chinese GP with one point, as Team Manager Dan Hodder notes the team still hasn’t maximized its potential.
The British outfit’s point came from rookie Ava Dobson, who qualified P9, finished just outside the points in Race 1, and claimed her maiden F1 Academy point in Race 2, finishing P10. Meanwhile, teammate Rachel Robertson and Wild Card Shi Wei faced a challenging Round 1.
In Shanghai’s Race 1, Robertson settled for P10 after being stuck in a three-way battle, unable to make her way through to the points. The following day, on Lap 10 of Race 2, the PUMA-backed driver locked up and collided with Wei’s car, resulting in DNFs for both and a five-grid penalty for Robertson in her next race.
Wei endured a difficult weekend beyond her Race 2 retirement as she qualified P18 and finished Race 1 in P17.
Hodder on Hitech’s performance
Reflecting on Hitech’s mixed 2026 F1 Academy Chinese GP results and areas for improvement, Hodder said: “I think overall, it was reasonable. I think we had a lot more potential which we didn’t quite capitalise on. I think what’s really (been) highlighted to us is how strong sixth to 12th place is – it’s a lot closer than last year.”
“The racing in the Reverse Grid Race was really clean. We’ve just got to find that little bit extra to make sure we’re on the other side of the tenth in P6.”
“It was really positive for Ava and I think you can see that her racing experience really helped her in both races – yesterday more so than the Feature Race,” he noted as Dobson brings key experience from her 2025 GB4 season, where she finished as the highest scoring female driver.
“She did a good job, nice and clean, and raced close,” he continued.
“There were some other drivers around her that have been doing a lot of Formula 4 driving so we’re pretty happy with that to be honest.”
Looking ahead to Montreal
Following the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian GP, Round 2 in Montreal will introduce a unique 2026 F1 Academy format by hosting a third race, known as the ‘Opening Race’. This allows the 2026 calendar to maintain its original 14-race plan, with the format set to make a return in Austin later this season.
Hodder further shared that he expects a tough weekend in Montreal for rookies Dobson, Robertson, and the new Wild Card, with team support key to quick adaptation.
“I think [Montreal] will be a big challenge for all of the rookies, to be honest. I think the team will be able to help the most with that in terms of set-up.
He added: “The important thing is to keep the drivers out on the track and keep them testing – don’t let the momentum die after this. Both drivers are very comfortable with being very close to the walls, so I think it should help us a lot.”
