Sebastian Wheldon has set his sights on challenging for the 2027 FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship as he prepares to make his debut with Trident Motorsport. The 17-year-old American completed four days of post-season testing at Jerez and Barcelona, gaining his first experience of F3 machinery while beginning preparations with his new team.
Wheldon arrives in the championship following an impressive 2026 FIA Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) campaign, during which he finished runner-up with four victories and eight podiums. Having already established himself among the leading talents in junior single-seater racing, he will now aim to continue his progression with one of F3’s most successful organisations.
Wheldon prepares for F3 after impressive Formula Regional campaign
Wheldon enters F3 following a successful progression through the junior single-seater categories. The American began his car-racing career in 2023, winning the Skip Barber Formula Race Series before competing in USF Juniors and several European Formula 4 championships.
His breakthrough European campaign came in 2025, when he secured six victories, nine podiums and three pole positions on his way to third in the Italian F4 Championship.
He subsequently joined MP Motorsport for the inaugural FIA FREC season in 2026, immediately establishing himself among the championship’s leading contenders.
His campaign included a particularly impressive weekend at Zandvoort, where he secured consecutive victories to take the championship lead. After claiming his maiden FREC victory in the opening race, Wheldon added another win the following day, demonstrating his ability to compete consistently at the front.
Further victories at Paul Ricard and Hockenheim took his season total to four, more than any other driver in the championship.
Although Emanuele Olivieri ultimately secured the title, Wheldon finished just nine points behind the Italian. His victory in the Hockenheim season finale provided a fitting conclusion to his campaign and strengthened his credentials for promotion to F3.
Wheldon settles into Trident during post-season testing
Following his confirmation with Trident Motorsport, Wheldon began preparing for his rookie F3 campaign through the championship’s official post-season testing programme.
The American completed two days at Circuito de Jerez before returning to action at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, working alongside fellow rookies Kean Nakamura-Berta and Niccolò Maccagnani.
The sessions provided an opportunity to familiarise himself with the car while establishing relationships with his new engineers and team personnel.
Reflecting on his transition, Wheldon expressed his enthusiasm about joining the Italian organisation.
“I’m feeling really excited,” said Wheldon. “It’s a big step from FREC last year, so it will definitely be a new challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It should be a good challenge and I’m really happy to be here with TRIDENT for this season, I’m looking forward to it.
“Already I feel right at home. Everyone is really friendly and we’ve been working really hard these past couple weeks to get ready for the season and as I said, I’m really looking forward to it.”
The positive early relationship with Trident will provide an important foundation as Wheldon prepares to enter a championship featuring greater technical demands and increased competition.
Adapting to greater power and aerodynamic performance
One of Wheldon’s immediate priorities during testing involved adapting to the differences between Formula Regional and FIA F3 machinery.
The American previously competed with the Tatuus T-326 during his FREC campaign, while his new championship uses the Dallara F3 2025 chassis.
The transition introduces increased engine performance and aerodynamic downforce, requiring adjustments to driving technique and vehicle management.
Wheldon highlighted those differences after completing his first four days in the car.
“The car is a really big step compared to FREC,” he said. “You have the downforce and just more power from the engine. But that’s the biggest thing you feel is just probably more downforce and just less laps to do the lap time.
The additional aerodynamic performance will require Wheldon to develop his confidence through high-speed corners while adapting to different braking characteristics and tyre behaviour.
Moreover, the reduced amount of running available during competitive F3 weekends will place greater importance on extracting performance quickly, particularly during qualifying.
His early testing programme therefore provided opportunities to explore the car’s handling characteristics and develop the technical understanding required for his rookie season.
Jerez and Barcelona provide valuable preparation
Trident demonstrated encouraging pace throughout the four-day testing programme, although the team concentrated on different objectives across the sessions.
Nakamura-Berta established the fastest time during the opening day at Jerez, while Wheldon continued accumulating mileage and adapting to the unfamiliar machinery.
The team subsequently travelled to Barcelona for the final two days of running, retaining its three-driver line-up.
During the concluding Barcelona post-season test, Wheldon continued developing his understanding of the car as the Italian outfit completed qualifying simulations and longer race runs.
He finished fifth during the final afternoon session, completing 48 laps as Trident focused on gathering information ahead of the winter break.
Although outright lap times offered an early indication of competitiveness, the differing testing programmes made direct comparisons difficult.
For Wheldon, the additional mileage provided opportunities to improve consistency, explore setup changes and become more comfortable with the demands of F3 machinery.
The experience should prove valuable when preparations resume ahead of the opening round, particularly as he adjusts to racing on Formula 1 weekends for the first time.
Wheldon reunites with former FREC rival Nakamura-Berta
Alongside adapting to his new team and car, Wheldon will continue a familiar rivalry with Nakamura-Berta, who joins him at Trident for the 2027 season.
The pair competed against each other throughout the 2026 FREC campaign, regularly challenging near the front of the field during a closely contested championship battle.
Wheldon ultimately finished runner-up with 209 points, while Nakamura-Berta secured third with 201. The British driver claimed three victories and eight podiums during the season, establishing himself as one of Wheldon’s closest competitors.
However, despite their previous rivalry, the pair share a positive relationship away from the circuit.
Wheldon praised his new teammate and highlighted the mutual respect they have developed during their time competing in European single-seater racing.
“Kean is quite a good driver and good to work with him, we’ve always respected each other. I respected him ever since I first started racing in Europe and he’s a good friend of mine as well.”
Their familiarity could provide an advantage as both drivers adapt to F3, allowing them to draw on their previous experiences while establishing a productive working relationship.
Trident assembles competitive rookie line-up for 2027
Trident will enter the 2027 season with an entirely new driver line-up, combining Wheldon and Nakamura-Berta with Italian youngster Niccolò Maccagnani.
While the former FREC rivals bring experience from competing at the front of the regional championship, Maccagnani joins following a successful progression through Formula 4 and an initial F3 appearance at Madrid.
The Italian outfit has established an impressive record of developing young drivers, securing three consecutive F3 Drivers’ Championships between 2023 and 2025.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Câmara claimed those titles, demonstrating the team’s ability to support drivers making the transition into the category.
Although Trident missed out on the Drivers’ Championship in 2026, Freddie Slater finished runner-up while the team secured second in the Teams’ standings.
The organisation will now aim to return to championship-winning form with its new line-up.
Meanwhile, Nakamura-Berta has also outlined his championship ambitions, following his own encouraging post-season testing programme.
With two former Formula Regional title contenders sharing the garage, Trident will enter 2027 with drivers who have already demonstrated their ability to challenge for championships.
Monaco stands out on expanded 2027 F3 calendar
Wheldon will also face several new circuits as the 2027 F3 Championship expands its international presence.
The ten-round calendar will feature three new venues, with Jeddah, Montreal and Istanbul joining the championship for the first time.
The season will begin in Bahrain from 12–14 March before immediately continuing to Saudi Arabia for the second round at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Following events in Melbourne and Montreal, the championship will return to Europe for Round 5 at Monaco from 3–6 June.
Wheldon has already identified Monaco as one of the events he is particularly looking forward to, with the demanding street circuit presenting another opportunity to develop his skills.
The narrow layout and limited overtaking opportunities will place considerable emphasis on qualifying performance, making precision and confidence particularly important.
Beyond Monaco, the 2027 FIA Formula 3 calendar includes visits to Silverstone, Spielberg, Monza and Madrid before concluding at Istanbul Park in October.
The expanded schedule will present Wheldon with a range of challenges as he prepares to compete across four continents during his rookie campaign.
Wheldon sets sights on 2027 F3 championship fight
Despite the significant step from Formula Regional, Wheldon has made his ambitions clear ahead of his first F3 campaign.
Having challenged for the 2026 FREC title until the final race, the American intends to maintain the same competitive approach as he progresses to the next level.
However, he also recognises the importance of consistency throughout the season, particularly after narrowly missing out on the Formula Regional championship despite securing more victories than any other competitor.
Reflecting on what would constitute a successful rookie F3 campaign, Wheldon outlined his primary objective.
“I just want to fight for the championship,” he said. “That’s really everyone’s goal and it should be everyone’s goal. But to just fight for the championship and be consistent as possible.”
His comments reflect the lessons from his previous championship campaign, where several difficult weekends ultimately proved costly despite his impressive outright pace.
With Trident providing an established technical environment and Wheldon bringing experience from a closely contested title fight, the partnership enters 2027 with clear ambitions.
The American will now look to translate his early testing progress into competitive performances when the championship begins in Bahrain, aiming to establish himself among the leading F3 contenders during his debut season.
