As the second round of post-season testing kicks off in Barcelona, PREMA Racing have confirmed that New Zealand’s Louis Sharp will join the team for the 2026 FIA F3 Championship, completing the team’s lineup alongside Enzo Deligny and James Wharton. As a result, Sharp will return for a second year in F3 after a challenging rookie season with Rodin Motorsport in which he finished 26th in the standings with 11 points. The 18-year-old, however, brings a wealth of experience, having won the 2023 British F4 and 2024 GB3 Championships.
A rapidly rising star
Sharp’s motorsport journey began in karting at age six, where he quickly gained recognition for his performances. His rise through the ranks continued with success in New Zealand’s Formula First and Formula Ford series before he made a name for himself in the British F4 Championship in 2022. By 2023, Sharp had clinched the British F4 title with Rodin Carlin, setting the stage for his GB3 Championship victory the following year.
In 2025, Sharp made his F3 debut with Rodin Motorsport, demonstrating his potential despite the challenges of his first season. He gained valuable experience, and although he didn’t score podiums, his consistency showed promise for the future.
Sharp eager to contribute to PREMA’s legacy
Sharp has expressed his excitement about joining PREMA Racing, one of the most successful teams in the championship. “I’m very, very happy and excited for next season,” said Sharp. “PREMA has a very rich history of winning championships and developing drivers for Formula 1. “To be able to say that I’m going to be a PREMA driver next year makes me proud, and already working with the team, I can see how motivated they are and how much they want to win. I’m really looking forward to having a strong season with them. I’m really proud to be here.”
PREMA Racing Team Principal René Rosin also voiced his confidence in Sharp’s abilities. “We think Louis is a really promising racer. He achieved great success at a very young age and showed that there is more to come from him. We are confident he will merge with the team well from the start and that he will be a great fit with how we operate. He has the potential to achieve impressive results in his second year in the series, and we are determined to maximize that potential as soon as possible.”
Aiming to return to the top in 2026
Sharp’s transition to PREMA Racing marks an exciting new chapter in his career. With a history of nurturing future Formula 1 stars, PREMA provides Sharp with the perfect platform to develop further. His goals for 2026 are clear: build on the experience gained in 2025 and challenge for higher positions in the standings. For PREMA Racing, Sharp’s arrival is a statement of intent. PREMA Racing will expect the Kiwi driver, alongside new teammates Deligny and Wharton, to contribute to the team’s pursuit of further championship success and aid their return to the top after a disappointing 2025 F3 season.
