Hitech TGR have announced 17 year-old Irish driver Fionn McLaughlin as the team’s final addition to their lineup for the 2026 FIA F3 season. Fresh off an impressive season in British F4, McLaughlin clinched the title championship title last weekend at Brands Hatch, capping off his season with five victories and nine additional podium finishes.
In 2026, McLaughlin will lineup alongside South Korean driver Michael Shin and Japanese driver Jin Nakamura at Hitech TGR. Backed by the Red Bull Junior Team, the 17 year-old now takes the next step up the single-seater ladder, continuing his journey with Hitech, the team where he began his single-seater career with earlier this year.
A promising talent with early success
The young Irishman began karting at just 5 years-old and quickly started claiming titles across Ireland. His talent soon caught attention, and by 2023 he found himself competing on the international stage with professional karting team, Kart Republic. For McLaughlin, his breakthrough came at the end of 2024 where he earned himself a place in the prestigious Red Bull Junior Team, securing himself a spot after outperforming other drivers in a three-day evaluation test in Jerez in GP3 and Formula 4 machinery.
Making his single-seater debut this year, the 17 year-old began by racing in the Formula Winter Series with Hitech, where he impressed by finishing third overall with three wins and three additional podiums. Continuing with the team for a full-time campaign in British F4, the Irishman went on to enjoy a remarkable rookie season that saw him claim the title last weekend. Now, McLaughlin remains with Hitech as he takes the next step in his career, moving up to FIA F3 for 2026.
A “whirlwind” first year in single-seaters
Having risen through the ranks rapidly and remaining with the same team for another year, McLaughlin continues his journey with a team he knows well and has achieved great success with. Looking ahead to this new chapter, the 17 year-old expressed his excitement and readiness to take on the challenge that awaits him in 2026.
“I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve achieved this year – it’s already been a whirlwind journey from karting to single-seaters, and now stepping up to FIA Formula 3 with Hitech is a dream come true. I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, especially Hitech and the Red Bull Junior Team for their trust and belief in my potential.”
Hitech’s Team Manager Paul Bellringer praised McLaughlin’s potential, expressing the team’s confidence in the young driver’s speed and adaptability. He added that he firmly believed McLaughlin is ready to take on this next step in his career.
“At Hitech, we’ve closely followed Fionn’s progress in the entry categories of the Formula Winter Series and the British F4 Championship, and we’ve been consistently impressed by his speed, maturity, and racecraft.”
“His rapid development and ability to adapt to different challenges – such as new circuits, F1-grade tracks like Silverstone GP and Zandvoort, and varying track conditions – will stand him in good stead for FIA Formula 3. We’re confident Fionn is ready for this next important step in his career, and we look forward to supporting his continued development as he aims for the top.”
