Hitech TGR have named Michael Shin as their second driver for the 2026 FIA F3 Championship, confirming a full-time return for the South Korean racer. Shin, 21, previously raced with the team in GB3 and now rejoins the British outfit as he prepares to tackle his first complete F3 season.
This decision follows two crucial years of development for Shin, who sharpened his skills in Euroformula Open, Eurocup-3, and the Formula Regional Oceania Championship. Notably, he enters 2026 after a successful campaign with Team Motopark in Euroformula, where he currently sits second in the standings with one round to go.
“I am delighted to be returning home to Hitech TGR for my full FIA F3 debut,” said Shin. “Having been away from the team these past two years developing, this feels like a perfect reunion. I am looking forward to getting to work in the post-season tests and building towards a strong debut in Melbourne.”
The climb through the junior ranks
Shin Woo-hyun, better known as Michael Shin, began his motorsport career in South Korea with a brief stint in karting. Realising that the domestic scene lacked the competitive environment he needed, he swiftly moved to the United Kingdom to begin testing Formula 4 machinery with JHR Developments.
In 2022, he launched his single-seater career by racing in both the F4 UAE Championship and the British F4 Championship. That year, he secured his first car racing victory at Brands Hatch and finished 11th overall. He also represented South Korea at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games, further establishing his presence on the international stage.
Shin continued to climb in 2023, joining Prema Racing for the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, where he claimed a podium in Abu Dhabi. Later that year, he stepped up to GB3 with Hitech Grand Prix and made his F3 debut mid-season with PHM Racing by Charouz. Despite racing in only six rounds, he showed pace, particularly at Monza, where he crossed the line in 11th before a post-race penalty dropped him down the order. Regardless, Shin made history as the first South Korean to race in F3.
Shin gathers momentum across Europe and Oceania
Over the next two seasons, Shin built vital experience and momentum. In early 2024, he joined M2 Competition in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship. There, he won a race at Euromarque Motorsport Park and added three more podiums to finish a strong fourth in the standings.
Later that year, Shin switched to Campos Racing for the Eurocup-3 campaign. Despite a shaky start and a terrifying crash at Zandvoort—where his car barrel-rolled seven times—Shin bounced back immediately. He claimed four podiums, including a double third-place in Jerez, and secured seventh in the final championship standings.
Simultaneously, he contested selected Euroformula Open rounds with Team Motopark, grabbing headlines with four victories across Hockenheim, Red Bull Ring, and other circuits. His form carried into 2025, where he remains in title contention with one round remaining.
Meanwhile, Shin returned to GB3 in 2025 for a one-off round at Silverstone with Hillspeed. There, he added a podium finish to his record, showcasing his adaptability and proving his development across different racing platforms.
Hitech confident ahead of 2026 season
Hitech TGR Team Manager Paul Bellringer praised Shin’s return and emphasised the team’s belief in his progression: “We’re very pleased to welcome Michael to Hitech for the 2026 FIA F3 season. He’s shown real determination and strong results over the past few years, including during his previous GB3 experience with us, and his performances in Euroformula Open and briefly in FIA F3 have demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly and compete at a high level. We’re looking forward to his continued development as he takes on a full campaign in FIA F3.”
Shin, already familiar with the team environment, enters the new season with valuable experience and renewed confidence. His racecraft, adaptability, and tenacity have all sharpened over the past two years, and he now returns to F3 stronger than ever.
Eyes on Melbourne as preparation begins
With the 2025 F3 season complete, Shin immediately turns his attention to post-season testing with Hitech. With Melbourne set to host the 2026 season opener, he aims to hit the ground running. His extensive experience across multiple series, combined with a clear sense of direction and a proven ability to bounce back, positions him as one of the most exciting talents to watch in the upcoming campaign.
Shin’s return to Hitech marks more than just a reunion—it signals the beginning of a new chapter. Backed by strong form, steady development, and deep-rooted determination, Michael Shin is ready to take on F3 at full throttle.
