Louis Sharp enters the 2026 F3 season opener in Melbourne at the Australian GP with a renewed sense of purpose and confidence. After a challenging debut campaign, the New Zealander has switched to Italian outfit PREMA Racing for his second F3 season, seeking a fresh start and aiming to deliver stronger results.
Sharp “really excited” to get 2026 F3 campaign with PREMA underway
Though Sharp’s sophomore F3 campaign officially begins this weekend in Melbourne at the 2026 Australian GP, he has been preparing diligently for several months. The New Zealand driver spent the winter refining his skills through a combination of European testing and competitive racing at home.
Sharp’s 2026 campaign in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), where he finished third, demonstrated both his consistency and resilience. It provided him with crucial track time and mental preparation ahead of the opening round in Australia. Fresh from the momentum of his success at home, Sharp enters the F3 season eager to build on his positive results and continue establishing his reputation within the series.
“I’m feeling good. I’m excited,” said Sharp. He added, “I think the start of the championship has been a long time coming. I’ve waited a long time, so I’m really excited.”
A productive off-season with PREMA
The off-season has also been a period of adaptation as Sharp transitions to PREMA Racing, a team renowned for its professional infrastructure and competitive pedigree. Speaking to Formula 3 ahead of the Australian GP, he highlighted the importance of thorough preparation, emphasising that testing and close collaboration with his engineers have been key to entering the season with confidence.
“I think the preparation during the off season with PREMA has been really strong. I’m just looking forward to getting out there and getting started, and obviously, Melbourne is a very, very unique circuit.”
Sharp also acknowledged the supportive environment that PREMA Racing has created, which he credits for helping him focus entirely on performance and consistency. The combination of experienced engineers, team infrastructure, and collaborative culture has allowed him to adapt quickly and prepare effectively for the season ahead.
“PREMA are a really good team, they have given me a good environment to be able to go out there and go out there and succeed. Obviously, it’s just the first round, we don’t know exactly where we’re going to be, but I’m confident in the job that the team’s doing and I’m confident in the job we’re doing as well.”
Sharp aiming to build on 2025 season as he takes on 2026 F3 challenge with PREMA
Reflecting on his 2025 F3 season, Sharp recognises that there were challenges and learning experiences that he can now turn into opportunities for improvement. With the new team environment and strengthened preparation, he is focused on maximising every chance to perform at his best in 2026.
“So, I’m just looking forward to going out there and giving it everything. Last year was a difficult season for me, so I’ve got a lot to build on. There are a few areas I need to improve, but I think with PREMA now, I’m in a good environment to go out there and make the most of it.”
Melbourne: A unique challenge to start the new year
Building on his preparation and reflections from last season, Sharp now turns his attention to the Albert Park circuit, which presents a distinctive challenge for drivers. Known for its combination of tight corners, high-speed sections, and street-style characteristics, Melbourne requires precision, consistency, and tactical awareness.
Having raced there in 2025, Sharp draws on that experience to give himself an edge, particularly over rookies encountering the track for the first time. He acknowledges that while familiarity is beneficial, the weekend will demand a focused and disciplined approach to avoid costly mistakes.
“It’s a pretty tricky venue to go to for the first round,” he explained. “I think being a street track makes it tough, but also quite a unique circuit, different to a lot of others.”
Sharp believes that his prior experience provides a subtle advantage, but he is aware that success depends on careful management of the car and the race itself. The tight layout leaves little margin for error, and every session, from practice to qualifying, must be approached strategically.
“I think the important thing is just to use the experience I have around this place. I’ve only raced here once but compared to some of the rookies they haven’t been here before. I think that will be a little bit of an advantage, so I need to make the most of that and then try to keep it clean.”
He also highlighted the importance of accumulating laps to learn the circuit’s nuances, refine car setup, and build rhythm.
“Obviously, laps are super important here. The more laps, the more mileage, the more learning you can do, the better. I need to keep it clean, make no mistakes, be consistent and then just work from there.”
Qualifying holds the key as Sharp aims for success in 2026 F3 opener with PREMA
Sharp is particularly mindful of the role F3 qualifying will play in Melbourne at the 2026 Australian GP. With overtaking opportunities limited by the track’s narrow nature and the potential for race interruptions such as Red Flags or Safety Cars, securing a strong grid position will be crucial for achieving a successful weekend.
“Qualifying is always super important, but this track especially, overtaking is hard. Obviously, it’s the first round, it’s a street circuit, there’s also high chance of Red Flags and Safety Cars.”
He emphasised that race incidents could further restrict chances to make progress on track, meaning that every lap of practice and qualifying carries added significance. A solid starting position can essentially define the outcome of both the Sprint and Feature races.
“So actual overtaking opportunities, there won’t be that many, because it’s possible that we don’t do a full race in terms of laps. Qualifying is therefore super important, just with how difficult it is to overtake. If you qualify in the top 10, you’re going to finish both races in the top 10. So, I’m just looking forward to getting started and getting out there. The feeling is positive.”
Sharp’s focus is clear: by combining the lessons learned from last season, careful preparation during the winter, and his experience at Melbourne, he aims to make the most of every session. Clean, consistent laps and strategic execution will underpin his bid for a strong start to the 2026 campaign.
