Jin Nakamura claimed his maiden FIA Formula 3 podium after finishing third in the 2026 Spielberg F3 Sprint Race at the Austrian GP.
The Hitech TGR rookie started fourth and spent much of the race defending from Pedro Clerot as a tightly packed group fought at the front. Clerot eventually passed Nakamura, but James Wharton’s late mistake opened another opportunity. Nakamura attacked the PREMA Racing driver around the outside and secured the final podium position behind race winner Ernesto Rivera and Clerot.
The result gave Nakamura a major personal milestone and rewarded Hitech after a challenging opening phase of the season. Moreover, it increased his confidence ahead of Sunday’s Feature Race and the upcoming round at Silverstone. He discussed his result and the support that had allowed him to achieve it during the post-Sprint Race press conference attended by Pit Debrief.
Nakamura celebrates his first F3 podium after strong 2026 Spielberg Sprint Race performance
Nakamura expressed his happiness after reaching the F3 podium for the first time in the 2026 Spielberg F3 Sprint Race. Although the Japanese driver still wants to target stronger results than third place, he recognised the significance of his breakthrough performance.
“I’m just very happy. So, I think I shouldn’t say [I’m] really happy with P3, but it’s [my] first podium, [so] it’s very nice.”
The result represented an important step in Nakamura’s rookie campaign. He had already shown encouraging speed during the weekend, but the Sprint Race required him to combine that pace with determined defending and decisive attacking. Consequently, the podium offered more than a trophy and valuable championship points. It also proved that Nakamura and Hitech could compete at the front after enduring difficult weekends earlier in the season.
A tense battle with Clerot
Nakamura spent much of the race under pressure from Clerot. The Rodin Motorsport driver repeatedly attacked him as the leading group remained close together within the Red Bull Ring’s powerful DRS train.
While Nakamura struggled slightly for pace during the opening phase, he continued to defend his position. However, Clerot eventually completed his move and advanced into the podium places.
Nakamura admitted that Clerot’s speed created a difficult challenge throughout the race. Nevertheless, Wharton’s late loss of DRS gave him another opportunity.
“I mean, Pedro was very quick the whole race. From the first part of the race, I was lacking a bit of pace. So, yeah, I was always defending him. Yeah, I was really scared of him, but, I mean, I was really lucky on the last lap. James didn’t have DRS after T10, so I was really lucky.”
Wharton ran wide at Turn 8 on the penultimate lap and lost contact with Rivera at the front. That mistake left him vulnerable to Clerot and Nakamura as the race approached its conclusion.
“I didn’t have a choice” in the fight for the podium: Nakamura on the battle for position in the 2026 Spielberg F3 Sprint Race
With Clerot moving ahead, Nakamura turned his attention towards Wharton. He launched an ambitious move around the outside as he pursued the final podium position. Rather than settle for fourth, the Hitech driver committed fully to the opportunity. He explained that the chance to claim his first Formula 3 podium left him with only one option.
“Yeah, I mean, I didn’t have a choice, to be honest. I wanted to get a podium.”
That determination allowed Nakamura to complete the move and reach the chequered flag in third. However, his final lap also required him to defend from Clerot while attacking Wharton, which created a complex and rapidly changing fight.
Nakamura highlighted Clerot’s overtaking ability and acknowledged the disappointment of losing a position to him. Nevertheless, he focused on the confidence that Hitech gained from the overall performance.
“I mean, Pedro had a really good pace for the race. Also, I know that Pedro has a really good skill to overtake the car in front, but he was charging quite hard for me, even in the middle of the race. It was a little bit shameful that I was overtaken by him, but it’s part of the race, and I managed to get to the podium. Also, I have a new tyre set for tomorrow, so my pace will be fine. We got really good confidence from this race.”
The Red Bull Ring creates constant pressure
The Red Bull Ring’s three consecutive DRS zones allowed the drivers to attack regularly. At the same time, the circuit offered little opportunity for anyone to create a comfortable gap.
As a result, Nakamura had to pursue the cars ahead while constantly monitoring the threats behind him. Any small error could cost several positions within the closely matched field. He welcomed the circuit’s ability to produce close racing, although he also recognised the physical and mental intensity that came with it.
“Yeah, I think here is a pretty nice racing track, I think. Yeah, it was really tough race. I had to charge the car in front, but also I had a really quick car on the behind. Also, each small mistake can cost for the pace and positions. It’s going to be a really tough race for tomorrow as well. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
Despite the pressure, Nakamura managed the race effectively and remained within striking distance of the podium throughout. His ability to respond when Wharton encountered trouble ultimately made the difference.
Hitech makes a “massive jump”
Beyond his personal milestone, Nakamura viewed the Spielberg performance as an important improvement for Hitech. The team had struggled during the opening events, particularly at Barcelona. In response to a question from Pit Debrief, Nakamura therefore praised Hitech’s work between rounds and credited the team with producing a more competitive package in Austria.
“I mean, we were struggling quite a lot in the first part of the race, from Melbourne, Monaco, Barcelona. Yeah, especially Barcelona, we were struggling quite a lot. We qualified P13 on Friday. We were really ashamed for that, but the team did a really, really good job for this race. Yeah, I just want to keep this momentum for tomorrow’s race and the rest of the season.”
The podium provided immediate evidence of that progress. More importantly, Nakamura believed the result could establish momentum for the remainder of his rookie season.
The central role of Toyota
Toyota has also played a central role in his transition from Japanese competition to European racing. Nakamura highlighted the manufacturer’s continued assistance and the guidance that former F1 driver Kazuki Nakajima provides.
“I have [had] really massive support from Toyota since when I was racing in Japan. I started European racing last year, so I have massive support from them. Even today, even this weekend, I have Kazuki Nakajima. He always gives me really good advice, so it’s really good support.
“I think this weekend, for me, it was really a massive jump. Next weekend is kind of our home race for Hitech. I just want to keep this momentum for that.”
Silverstone will host the next Formula 3 round from 3–5 July. The circuit also holds particular importance for Hitech, which bases its operation in Silverstone.
New tyres increase Nakamura’s confidence for the 2026 Spielberg F3 Feature Race
Nakamura also took encouragement from Hitech’s previous success at Spielberg.
In the 2025 Feature Race, Martinius Stenshorne charged from P15 to second on the road. The stewards later disqualified original winner Nikola Tsolov after his car breached the technical regulations, which elevated Stenshorne to victory.
That performance demonstrated Hitech’s ability to progress through the field at the Red Bull Ring. Nakamura also held a fresh set of tyres for Sunday, which strengthened his belief that the team could produce another competitive race.
“So, Martinius just finished P2 [on track] last year, starting from P15, maybe,” he said, in response to a question from Pit Debrief about what Sunday’s Feature Race could hold. “So, we might have very good pace and also new tyres as well. We have an advantage for that. Yeah, just we look at data, analysing everything. So, we just go for it.”
Rather than allowing the podium celebrations to distract the team, Nakamura immediately shifted his attention towards analysing the data and preparing for the Feature Race.
Nakamura on representing Japan on the F3 stage
Finally, Nakamura reflected on the significance of representing Japan within a championship that shares its race weekends with Formula 2 and Formula 1.
Four Japanese drivers joined the 2026 Formula 3 grid: Nakamura, Hiyu Yamakoshi, Taito Kato and Kanato Le. Their presence has attracted attention from supporters at home and strengthened Japan’s representation on the international junior single-seater ladder.
Nakamura thanked those supporters after securing his first podium.
“Yeah, for me, it’s the same. It’s really special stuff. So many Japanese fans are looking after our races, Japanese races. So, four Japanese drivers are in Formula 3. So, it’s really nice. We have a really good time all around. Yeah, I just want to say big thanks to the Japanese fans.”
Nakamura’s third-place finish gave those fans a landmark result to celebrate. Meanwhile, his late-race commitment, Hitech’s improved form and the availability of fresh tyres gave him further reasons for optimism as the Spielberg weekend continued.
