Jin Nakamura produced a crucial final-lap improvement to secure ninth place for Hitech in 2026 Spielberg F3 Qualifying at the Red Bull Ring.
The Japanese driver recorded a 1:22.059 as the chequered flag fell, climbing into the top 10 when most of the field failed to improve. The result gives Nakamura competitive starting positions for both races, including fourth on the reversed Sprint Race grid.
After entering the session with confidence in Hitech’s pace, Nakamura credited the team’s execution and pit-wall timing for helping him negotiate a congested and increasingly chaotic Qualifying session.
Nakamura converts Hitech pace into top-10 result in Spielberg
Nakamura felt capable of challenging inside the top five after showing encouraging pace during Free Practice. Although ninth fell short of that target, the result marked his first Qualifying appearance inside the top 12 and placed him in a strong position to score points throughout the weekend.
“I’m really happy, we had a really good car from FP so, we had confidence to be in and around the top five to be honest. We missed out, which is a little bit of a shame, but still, it’s a very good result,” he said to FIA Formula 3 after the Qualifying session. “It’s the first time I’ll be starting within the top 12 and we have the reverse grid for tomorrow, so we are really positive about that.
The short Red Bull Ring lap created significant traffic as drivers searched for clear track and an effective slipstream. Several competitors became caught in the pack, but Nakamura and Hitech adjusted their run plan to avoid the worst of the congestion.
Hitech avoids chaos during decisive F3 Qualifying runs in Spielberg
Nakamura initially sat around 15th or 16th after his opening attempt. He therefore needed to improve during the closing stages, when positioning and timing became increasingly important.
Rather than joining the tightly grouped cars ahead, Hitech released Nakamura when the team believed he could secure a useful tow without compromising his lap. That decision created the opportunity for his late move into ninth.
“I was a little bit off plan compared to others, to be honest. We tried to avoid the cars in front, which was really messy. I was looking at that and trying to avoid it.
“After the first lap, we were nowhere. We were like P15, P16 or something. So, we tried to get a good tow, tried to avoid the pack, and we did a really good job. I think the engineers got it right when they said it was time to go, so it was a very nice session from the pit wall.”
While the circuit theoretically offered its best conditions at the end of Qualifying, most drivers struggled to find additional lap time. Nakamura, however, positioned his car effectively and delivered when the opportunity arrived.
Final-lap positioning proves decisive for Nakamura in 2026 Spielberg F3 Qualifying
Nakamura admitted that his first push lap on the second set of new tyres did not maximise the available grip. Traffic ahead also disrupted his preparation as drivers attempted to create gaps before beginning their own flying laps.
He responded by slowing through the final sector and creating enough space to attack on his final attempt. The gap allowed him to benefit from a tow without becoming trapped directly behind another car.
“My first push was not really good for a new tyre run. I had a really good tow as well, but my first push on the second set of new tyres wasn’t great, with the car in front still trying to find the gap.
“I tried to create a gap in Sector 3 and then had a really good gap to the car in front, so I was a little bit lucky as well. But we did a very good job.”
His 1:22.059 ultimately secured ninth and ensured Hitech would start inside the top 10 in both races.
Nakamura targets maiden F3 podium in Spielberg
The reversed top-12 grid will promote Nakamura to fourth for Saturday’s Sprint Race, giving him his best opportunity yet to challenge for an F3 podium.
The Red Bull Ring’s long straights should create several overtaking opportunities, although tyre management, slipstreaming and early-race positioning will remain important. Nakamura therefore plans to combine an aggressive start with a measured approach throughout the race.
“I just need to do a good start and drive a clever race. We will be working hard for tomorrow.”
After executing a difficult Qualifying session cleanly, Nakamura and Hitech now enter the Sprint Race with a realistic chance of fighting at the front and securing their first podium together.
