Jin Nakamura believes the long break between 2026 F3 rounds has helped him sharpen his skills ahead of his first appearance in Monaco next month. The Hitech driver has spent recent weeks balancing simulator work, fitness training and GB3 Championship duties as he looks to build momentum following his maiden points finish in Melbourne.
The Japanese driver claimed ninth place in the Albert Park Feature Race after climbing through the field from 15th on the grid. Although post-race penalties for Noah Stromsted and Théophile Nael promoted him into the points, Nakamura still viewed the result as an encouraging step forward after a difficult pre-season test in Barcelona.
Nakamura embraces intensive schedule after long F3 break between Melbourne and Monaco
Since leaving Australia, Nakamura has dedicated much of his time to preparation work at Hitech’s Milton Keynes base. While the extended gap between races tested his patience at times, he remained focused on improving both physically and mentally before returning to Formula 3 action.
“It’s been very boring, very long days,” said Nakamura speaking about the break to Formula 3 ahead of this week’s in-season test.
Even so, the 17-year-old explained that his schedule remained packed with training sessions and simulator work throughout the period away from racing.
“After Melbourne, I went to Sydney to see my friend, and after that it has been long days in Milton Keynes.”
Nakamura also revealed that he spent significant time maintaining his fitness routine from home while continuing to work closely with Hitech.
“I’ve got all the gym kit in my flat, which is pretty useful. I was going to the gym, then doing gym work in my flat, and then sometimes I was going to the Hitech factory. We would do some some gym sessions, and then also some meetings as well, and then I got a new opportunity in GB3.”
That extra mileage has helped Nakamura continue adapting to high-level single-seater racing, even if the demanding routine occasionally became repetitive.
“So I got some mileage as well, but it has been a little bit boring, although there have been very good days.”
Melbourne result provides confidence boost
Although Nakamura admitted luck played a role in his maiden Formula 3 points finish, he still believes Melbourne demonstrated genuine progress for both himself and Hitech after a difficult start to the campaign in Barcelona testing.
The improvement in race pace and overall competitiveness gave the team greater confidence heading into the next stage of the season.
“I mean the general feeling is we were struggling quite hard in Barcelona,” acknowledged Nakamura. “But in Melbourne, we secured two points, and it was pretty good to score points.”
Nakamura then reflected on the circumstances surrounding his top-10 finish, while also insisting that the team still deserved credit for maximising the opportunity available.
“We had some luck in the Feature Race, but P9 is P9. So we still managed to get the points, and it was a very strong point.”
At the same time, he acknowledged that he still needs to improve aspects of his driving if he wants to challenge consistently higher up the order during the remainder of the season.
“But maybe I’m still not driving great, so I have to improve some points as well. But we are doing those sessions, and we are pretty positive for the next one.”
Monaco brings excitement and nerves as Nakamura prepares for F3 resumption
Looking ahead to Round 2 in Monaco, Nakamura admitted he feels both excited and slightly nervous about tackling the iconic street circuit for the first time in Formula 3 competition.
Nevertheless, extensive simulator preparation has helped him build confidence ahead of one of the most demanding weekends on the calendar.
“I’m a little bit scared,” joked Nakamura when asked about racing in Monaco for the first time. “But we have done plenty of time in the sim.”
Nakamura also explained that gaining confidence quickly during practice will prove essential around the narrow Monaco streets, where mistakes carry heavy consequences.
“So far, I’m feeling positive, but I’m still a little bit scared. But the important point is just get a lot of mileage in Monaco, in Free Practice and then try to have a good performance across the weekend.”
