Kanato Le will reunite with Hitech for the 2027 FIA F3 season, completing the British team’s three-driver line-up alongside Keanu Al Azhari and Woohyun Shin.
The Japanese driver returns for a second F3 campaign after finishing 20th in the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with 30 points for ART Grand Prix. His season included a breakthrough second-place finish in the Budapest Sprint Race, where Le led the early stages before Théophile Naël passed him for victory.
The move also continues a long-standing relationship between Le and Hitech. The pair have already worked together across several junior categories, while Le recently made another appearance with the team during the GB3 round at Brands Hatch.
Le returns to familiar surroundings at Hitech
Le first raced with Hitech during the 2023 British F4 Championship. He claimed two victories during his full campaign and finished seventh in the standings, establishing a relationship with the team early in his single-seater career.
They reunited at the beginning of 2026 for the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. Le took one victory and six podiums across the campaign to finish sixth in the standings as he prepared for his rookie F3 season. His Oceania programme with Hitech formed another part of his preparations after he had already been confirmed for the 2026 campaign.
Le then stepped into FIA F3 with ART Grand Prix. Although consistency proved difficult during his first campaign, he showed flashes of strong pace. His Budapest podium provided his standout race result, while he also produced a strong qualifying performance at Monza.
Those experiences will now give Le considerably more knowledge of the championship as he returns with a team he already knows well.
Le excited to reunite with Hitech
Le highlighted that familiarity when Hitech confirmed his 2027 move.
“I am really looking forward to racing with Hitech in FIA Formula 3 for the 2027 season,” Le said. “It’s a team I know very well after racing with them in British F4 and CTFROC, and I am excited to be part of the team again.”
The Japanese driver believes his existing relationship with the team can help him make another step during his second season in the championship.
“I am confident that we will have a strong season together. I would also like to thank everyone for the continued support.”
His recent return to Hitech machinery also provided another opportunity for the two sides to work together before the announcement. Le joined the team for the Brands Hatch GB3 round and secured another podium, reinforcing his familiarity with Hitech’s working environment.
Bellringer backs Le to build on rookie campaign
Hitech Team Manager Paul Bellringer believes Le’s first F3 season will prove important when he returns to the championship in 2027.
“We’re delighted to welcome Kanato back to Hitech and complete our FIA Formula 3 line-up for 2027,” Bellringer said. “Kanato is a driver we know very well, having worked with him at different stages of his career.”
Bellringer also pointed to Le’s natural speed and the progress he has made since the pair first worked together in British F4.
“He’s always had good natural speed and racecraft, and it’s been rewarding to see him gain experience and develop over the last few seasons.”
Le will enter 2027 with a full F3 campaign behind him, something Bellringer expects to make a significant difference.
“His first year in FIA Formula 3 has given him a much better understanding of the demands of the championship, and he showed what he is capable of with his podium in Hungary and strong qualifying performance at Monza.”
The Hitech manager also highlighted Le’s recent GB3 return, where he quickly readapted to the team.
“It was also great to have him back racing with us at Brands Hatch recently. He settled straight back in and delivered another podium, which says a lot about his ability to adapt and get up to speed.”
Hitech completes 2027 F3 line-up
Le becomes the final piece of Hitech’s 2027 line-up after the team previously confirmed Al Azhari and Shin.
Al Azhari will make his championship debut after progressing through Hitech’s junior programmes, with his move into FIA F3 making him the first Emirati driver to compete in the series.
Shin will meanwhile remain with the British squad for another campaign. The South Korean’s 2027 Hitech return gives the team another driver with a full season of experience in the current F3 machinery.
“With Kanato confirmed, our 2027 driver line-up is now complete,” Bellringer said. “We have a good combination of talent and experience, and we’re looking forward to getting to work with all three drivers as we prepare for next season.”
Le’s arrival means Hitech will head into the 2027 FIA Formula 3 season with two returning F3 drivers alongside rookie Al Azhari. After gaining experience through a challenging first campaign, Le will aim to use both his championship knowledge and his established relationship with Hitech to make a stronger impression in his second season.
