Williams Driver Academy member Kean Nakamura-Berta has set his sights on challenging for the 2027 F3 Championship as he prepares for his rookie campaign with Trident Motorsport. The 18-year-old enters the category following a successful progression through F4 and Formula Regional, with three championship titles already to his name.
Nakamura-Berta recently completed four days of post-season testing at Jerez and Barcelona, gaining his first experience of F3 machinery with the Italian outfit. Having topped the opening day at Jerez, the British driver has made an encouraging start to his preparations as he looks to continue his championship-winning form at the next level of the junior single-seater ladder.
Nakamura-Berta excited to begin F3 journey with Trident
Nakamura-Berta will make his F3 debut with one of the championship’s most successful teams, having confirmed his move to Trident for 2027. The Italian outfit has established a strong record of developing young drivers, securing three consecutive Drivers’ Championships between 2023 and 2025.
Gabriel Bortoleto, Leonardo Fornaroli and Rafael Câmara claimed those titles, while Freddie Slater continued the team’s competitive record by finishing runner-up in 2026. Consequently, Nakamura-Berta believes he has joined an organisation capable of supporting his ambitions during his first season.
“I’m super, super excited to get the season started,” he said. “Of course joining a team like TRIDENT with a vast history of winning in the championship and looking so strong, it’s a really good place to start.
“F3 is a massive jump from the lower categories. It’s the first time you’re on an F1 weekend and it’s a really surreal experience. But I think I’m in the right place, I have good people around me and I can’t wait to start.”
The move represents another significant step for Nakamura-Berta, who will compete on F1 race weekends for the first time while facing a highly competitive field of returning drivers and fellow rookies.
Championship success provides strong foundation for 2027
Nakamura-Berta enters F3 with an impressive record across the junior single-seater categories. In 2025, he secured both the Italian F4 and E4 Championship titles, establishing himself among the leading young drivers competing in Europe.
He subsequently graduated to Formula Regional in 2026, beginning the year by winning the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy before joining PREMA Racing for the Formula Regional European Championship.
The British driver remained among the championship’s leading contenders throughout the European campaign, eventually finishing third in the Drivers’ standings. He secured three victories and eight podium finishes, demonstrating his ability to compete consistently against an experienced field.
His progression has consequently attracted continued support from the Williams Driver Academy, which will remain involved in his development throughout the 2027 season.
However, F3 presents a different challenge from the categories in which Nakamura-Berta has previously competed. Greater aerodynamic performance, more demanding tyre management and the pressure of competing during F1 weekends will require further adaptation.
Nevertheless, his achievements in F4 and Formula Regional provide a strong foundation as he prepares for his latest step up the single-seater ladder.
Nakamura-Berta impresses during Jerez and Barcelona testing
Nakamura-Berta began his preparations with Trident during October’s post-season tests, completing two days of running at Jerez before continuing his programme at Barcelona.
The Williams junior made an immediate impression during the opening day at Jerez, recording the fastest lap of the test with a 1:31.169. His effort placed him just 0.002 seconds ahead of Campos Racing’s Mattia Colnaghi, while Ernesto Rivera completed the leading three.
The Jerez testing results demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar machinery, although the four-day programme also highlighted several differences between F3 and Formula Regional.
“The Formula 3 has a lot more power, and a lot more downforce,” he added. “The tyres interact in a different way compared to Formula Regional.
“But it’s super, super fun to drive. I am loving every minute of it, every second.”
Beyond outright lap times, testing provided Nakamura-Berta with valuable opportunities to understand the car’s handling characteristics, aerodynamic performance and tyre behaviour.
Furthermore, the additional mileage allowed him to familiarise himself with Trident’s engineering procedures before preparations intensify ahead of the opening round.
Strong relationship with Trident gives Nakamura-Berta confidence
Alongside adapting to the car, Nakamura-Berta has focused on establishing a productive relationship with his new team. Although he has previously competed for Italian organisations, the 2027 campaign will mark his first season with Trident.
The team’s experience represents an important advantage as he prepares to enter F3. In particular, its recent championship successes demonstrate its ability to develop competitive cars and support drivers making the transition from Formula Regional.
Nakamura-Berta praised the environment within the organisation, highlighting the support of its personnel and the leadership of Team Manager Giacomo Ricci.
“They’ve been incredibly welcoming,” he said. “Of course, they are Italian, but they are from different parts of Italy.
“But they’ve embraced me nicely and the people here are amazing. They have loads of experience, all the engineers. Of course, Giacomo running the team is really good at managing people and on that side of things.”
His early relationship with the team will be particularly important as he prepares to compete against drivers with previous F3 experience.
With Trident providing an established technical structure and Williams continuing to support his development, Nakamura-Berta believes he has the resources necessary to approach his rookie campaign competitively.
Nakamura-Berta targets championship fight in rookie season
Having secured titles in Italian F4, E4 and Formula Regional Middle East, Nakamura-Berta intends to maintain his ambitious approach when he graduates to F3.
However, the championship will provide a significant test of his development, particularly as he adjusts to the greater demands of qualifying, Sprint Races and Feature Races.
Trident’s recent success offers encouragement, with Câmara winning the 2025 F3 Championship during his rookie season and Slater challenging for the 2026 title immediately after progressing from Formula Regional.
Although those achievements demonstrate the team’s capabilities, Nakamura-Berta will need to establish his own consistency across the season to compete for similar honours.
Nevertheless, the British driver has made his intentions clear ahead of his debut.
“Well, I think the goal for everyone is to win the championship,” he said. “So hopefully we can fight for it. I think that’s the goal.”
Following an encouraging introduction to F3 machinery and a positive start to his relationship with Trident, Nakamura-Berta will now continue preparing for the 2027 campaign. His immediate challenge will be translating his success in the lower categories into competitive performances as he targets another championship fight.
