As he prepares to embark on his first full FIA Formula 3 campaign with Hitech, Michael Shin enters 2026 with renewed confidence and a clear sense of direction. Following his three-round guest appearance in 2023, and continued development across other categories, the Korean driver returns to F3 determined to translate his extensive experience into consistent performance. Despite an interrupted pre-season marred by a shoulder injury, Shin approaches 2026 with optimism, viewing both his recent recovery and long-term preparation as key foundations for the challenge ahead.
Shin prioritises tyre management and recovery ahead of 2026 Melbourne F3 Round
Responding to a question from Pit Debrief during a virtual media event, Shin outlined the areas he focused on over the winter as he prepared for the FIA F3 season with Hitech. After missing pre-season testing through injury, he concentrated on his rehabilitation while maintaining a rigorous training programme to ensure he arrived in Melbourne in the best possible condition. Although he anticipated some discomfort, he approached the opening round with confidence and determination.
“Yes, I’m doing really well. A lot of work is going into being ready for Melbourne, and I have hopes. Obviously, it’s not going to be easy. It’s still going to be painful, but really looking forward to it.“
On the performance side, tyre management was a key priority. Shin worked on delivering a clean, committed single lap in qualifying, fully aware that one minor error could compromise the entire session. He also refined his race craft to better manage tyre temperatures over longer stints, aiming to avoid overheating and limit performance drop-off in the closing stages.
“To answer the question regarding what I’ve been working on to prepare for F3, I’d say it’s got to be the difficulty in managing the tyres. Whichever compound, we still only get one lap in qualifying, and it’s really crucial to minimise the mistakes and be on the limit for that one lap that you get. Also, during the races, not to overheat the tyres and fall off in the last phase.”
Guest appearances the groundwork for a full-season return
Shin believes he is better prepared as he embarks on his first full FIA F3 campaign. Three previous guest appearances gave him a clearer understanding of the championship’s competitiveness and the intensity of racing alongside Formula 1 on the same weekend. Those outings provided a valuable benchmark.
Over the past two to three seasons, he worked methodically on the areas he felt had previously held him back. Competing in other categories allowed him to sharpen his race craft and build confidence. Now, beginning a full campaign with Hitech, he is eager to see what they can achieve together.
“I would say I feel better prepared. The whole reason that I did those three guest races was to get a good reading of what the environment in F3 is like, how competitive it is, and just in general, the experience of racing with F1 on the same weekend. I spent the last two to three years really working on the points that I felt that I was missing out on when I did those races, and I’m really excited to see what we can do together with Hitech.”
