21 year-old Tim Tramnitz is set to step in for Michael Shin at Hitech TGR during the 2026 F3 pre-season test in Barcelona this week. A shoulder injury has sidelined Shin, with Tramnitz returning to the championship after enjoying a strong sophomore campaign last year.
In 2025, Shin competed in the Formula Regional Oceania and the Euroformula Open Championship, and made an appearance in GB3. He returns to the F3 grid after participating in the final three rounds of the 2023 F3 season with PHM Racing, now known as AIX Racing. The 2026 F3 season marks Shin’s return to Hitech after working with the team during his 2023 GB3 campaign.
For the 2026 F3 season, Hitech will field an all-rookie lineup alongside Shin, with Fionn McLaughlin and Jin Nakamura also stepping up to the championship this year. The trio already gained their first experience in F3 machinery during last year’s post-season tests with the team. However, for this week’s pre-season test, Tramnitz returns to the grid, stepping in on a temporary basis.
Tramnitz secures BMW drive for the 2026 season
The 2025 F3 season proved to be a solid campaign for the former Red Bull Junior. After finishing 9th in the Drivers’ Standings in his rookie year, Tramnitz managed to improve to 4th last season. He secured a win and two podiums, showcasing strong consistency in the first half of the year, though the second half proved more turbulent and challenging. At the start of the year, the German driver departed from the Red Bull Junior Team, alongside several other young talents including Oliver Goethe.
However, BMW M Motorsport announced earlier today that Tramnitz will join their driver line-up. After impressing during a BMW M4 GT3 EVO test, the 21 year-old carried his form and showcased his talent that ultimately earned him the full-time seat. Having made his single-seater debut in 2020, Tramnitz will transition into and make his GT racing debut during the 2026 season.
