Hitech Team Manager Paul Bellringer expressed his satisfaction with the team’s 2026 F3 pre-season efforts, noting that the three-day Barcelona test provided valuable experience for both drivers and the team as a whole. With new rookie drivers, Jin Nakamura and Fionn McLaughlin, joining the experienced Tim Tramnitz, Bellringer believes they are in a strong position to start the 2026 Formula 3 season.
A solid 2026 F3 pre-season test amid challenging conditions in Barcelona
Hitech completed a productive test in Barcelona despite facing a variety of weather challenges over the three days. The team had to adapt to ever-changing conditions, from rain on the first day to gusty winds later in the week. However, Bellringer felt that the test ultimately benefitted everyone involved.
“I think it’s been quite good,” Bellringer said. “Obviously, we’ve had a whole range of weather conditions with the rain on the first day and then the gusty winds this afternoon. They were particularly quite challenging for everyone, not just us, but on balance, I think we’ve had a good, solid test.”
The diverse weather provided valuable learning experiences for the team, as the drivers had to adapt to different track conditions. Bellringer is confident that Hitech’s ability to adapt will serve them well throughout the season.
A promising all-rookie line-up for the season but Tramnitz brings experience for testing
One of the key takeaways for Bellringer from the pre-season test was how much progress Hitech’s rookies, Nakamura and McLaughlin, made. Both drivers had the advantage of competing in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy over the winter, which Bellringer believes has been a big help in their development.
“I think they’ve both benefited from keeping racing over the winter in New Zealand,” Bellringer said. “I think what they learned last year at the end of the season test, they’ve now carried over through the sim work and into testing here.”
Nakamura and McLaughlin were also able to lean on the experience of Tim Tramnitz, who stepped in for Michael Shin following an injury. Tramnitz, with his race-winning experience in F3, played a vital role in guiding the two rookies.
“Tim has also been a good help to us. Obviously, it was a last-minute call-up for him to come in. He has not driven a single seater for a while, so he sort of played himself back in general. He did a good, solid, professional job for us.”
Hitech focused on their own plan, not their rivals, for 2026 F3 campaign after Barcelona tests
In the highly competitive world of F3, it is natural for teams to keep an eye on what their rivals are doing during pre-season testing. However, Bellringer made it clear that Hitech’s main focus remains on their own progress rather than what other teams are up to.
“It’s all about Hitech, Hitech, Hitech really,” Bellringer explained. “I think as soon as you get drawn into watching other people and trying to mimic what they’re doing or trying to second-guess what they’re doing, you lose focus on what your own plan is.”
While the team does track their competitors’ times, especially comparing long and short run performances, Bellringer stressed that this is not a primary concern for Hitech. Instead, they want to focus on executing their own plan.
“So we tend to concentrate on ourselves. But we do have a look at what’s going on in the times, who’s on long runs, who’s on short runs and how they compare, roughly, performance-wise to us, but it’s not an overriding factor, no.”
Confidence going into Melbourne
Heading into the 2026 Formula 3 season opener in Melbourne, Bellringer conveyed a sense of confidence about Hitech’s chances. With a solid pre-season test behind them and a strong driver line-up, the team is feeling optimistic about their prospects for the season ahead.
“I think we are as happy and as confident as we can be,” Bellringer said. “We all have the expectation that we’re all going to be doing well and we’re all going to be champions this year. But some people will be happy, some people will be sad, but we’ll see how it pans out in Madrid.”
The team’s preparation, alongside the optimism of both drivers and staff, gives Hitech a solid foundation to start the season. While the goal is clear — to fight for the title — Bellringer knows that only time will tell how things unfold on the track.
