MP Motorsport has confirmed that Zhenrui Chi will graduate to the FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship in 2027, continuing his partnership with the Dutch outfit following a competitive season in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC).
The 17-year-old Aston Martin Driver Academy member finished eighth in the 2026 FREC Drivers’ Championship and will now make the step up to FIA F3 after three seasons competing in junior single-seater categories. Chi becomes MP Motorsport’s third confirmed driver for 2027, joining returning F3 competitors Matteo De Palo and Maciej Gładysz.
The announcement completes the team’s line-up ahead of post-season testing at Jerez and Barcelona, where Chi will gain his first experience of FIA F3 machinery. MP Motorsport will enter the new campaign aiming to build on its third-place finish in the 2026 Teams’ Championship.
Chi progresses through junior single-seater categories
Chi began his single-seater career towards the end of 2024, competing in the Formula Trophy UAE after progressing through international karting. The Chinese-born driver, who races under an Italian licence, made an encouraging start by securing two podium finishes and a pole position, eventually finishing fifth in the championship.
His development continued in 2025 when he joined PREMA Racing for a programme that included Italian F4 and Euro 4. Chi established himself among the leading competitors in Italian F4, securing his maiden victory at Monza and adding further podium finishes at Mugello and Imola.
He concluded the season fifth in the Italian F4 standings with one victory and four podium finishes, demonstrating consistent progress during his first full campaign in the category.
Chi also gained experience in Formula Regional machinery through selected FREC appearances at the Red Bull Ring and Hockenheim. His programme included participation in the FIA Formula Regional World Cup at Macau and a GB3 appearance at Monza, broadening his experience ahead of a full-time move into Formula Regional competition.
The performances established a foundation for his progression into FREC, with the Dutch outfit confirming his signing for 2026 after his achievements in Formula 4.
Eighth-place FREC finish earns promotion to FIA F3
Chi continued his development with MP Motorsport during the 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship, joining Sebastian Wheldon and Alexander Abkhazava in the team’s three-car line-up.
The Aston Martin junior established himself as a consistent points scorer throughout the campaign, frequently challenging among the leading ten drivers. His performances included several competitive qualifying sessions and strong race results, demonstrating his ability to adapt to the increased demands of Formula Regional machinery.
At Monza, Chi finished just 0.007 seconds behind the fastest overall time during Thursday’s Collective Tests, while he also demonstrated competitive pace during the championship’s later rounds.
His consistency ultimately secured eighth in the Drivers’ Championship, providing an encouraging conclusion to his first full FREC season. Although Chi did not challenge for the title, his performances strengthened his relationship with MP Motorsport and demonstrated his readiness to progress into FIA F3.
The promotion will allow him to remain within a familiar team environment as he adapts to another category, with the Dutch outfit providing continuity through its engineering and operational structure.
Chi welcomes opportunity to continue with MP Motorsport
Following the announcement, Chi expressed his enthusiasm about remaining with MP Motorsport and making the step up to FIA F3. The 17-year-old highlighted the relationship he established with the team during his FREC campaign and his confidence in its ability to challenge for competitive results.
“I am truly delighted with my promotion to Formula 3, especially while doing so with MP Motorsport,” Chi said. “We have gelled really well in the FIA Formula Regional European Championship this season, so my confidence is high for a repeat.”
The Aston Martin junior also acknowledged MP Motorsport’s strong finish to the 2026 F3 season, identifying the team’s recent progress as an encouraging foundation for the upcoming championship.
“The team have done really well in F3 this year, certainly towards the end of the season, so it’s my goal to contribute to the team’s ultimate pace and have their outstanding form last well into next season.”
Chi will now focus on adapting to FIA F3 machinery during post-season testing, using the experience to familiarise himself with the car before beginning his first full championship campaign.
Dorsman praises Chi’s consistency and development
MP Motorsport Team Principal Sander Dorsman welcomed Chi’s promotion, praising the driver’s performances during his FREC campaign and his ability to maintain consistency in a competitive field.
“We are very happy to retain Newman for his step up to FIA Formula 3,” Dorsman said. “In FIA FREC this year, he has seldomly put a foot wrong, demonstrating his ability to be a consistent front-runner, which is absolutely what you need in a highly competitive environment such as FIA F3.”
The team principal also expressed confidence in MP Motorsport’s completed line-up, highlighting the combination of experience provided by De Palo and Gładysz alongside Chi’s potential as a newcomer.
“With Maciej, Matteo and Newman, we have an exciting mix of experience and youthful energy that will hold us in good stead for 2027.”
MP Motorsport finished third in the 2026 F3 Teams’ Championship following a strong conclusion to the season. The Dutch outfit will now aim to build on that progress while introducing Chi to the category alongside two drivers already familiar with its machinery.
MP Motorsport completes 2027 FIA F3 line-up
Chi’s confirmation completes MP Motorsport’s three-driver line-up for 2027, with the team retaining a combination of returning F3 competitors and emerging talent.
De Palo will join the Dutch outfit after completing his rookie campaign with Trident in 2026, finishing 24th in the Drivers’ Championship. Despite a difficult season, the Italian brings experience from his previous Formula Regional European Championship campaign, where he finished runner-up in 2025 with four victories and 11 podium finishes.
Meanwhile, Gładysz returns to MP Motorsport after spending his first F3 season with ART Grand Prix. The Polish driver finished 12th overall and secured a Feature Race victory at Silverstone, providing valuable experience as he prepares for his second campaign in the category.
The trio will begin working together during the official post-season tests at Jerez on 20–21 October and Barcelona on 26–27 October. For Chi, the sessions represent an opportunity to gain experience in the F3 car while developing his relationship with the team’s engineers.
The 2027 FIA F3 season begins in Bahrain on 12–14 March before travelling to Jeddah, with the ten-round championship concluding at Istanbul Park in October.
Having established himself in Formula 4 and Formula Regional competition, Chi will now aim to build on his progress as he enters FIA F3 with a team targeting another championship challenge.
