'Incredibly proud' NI motorsport prodigy takes a huge step towards Formula One dream
Hailing from Magherafelt, Fionn began karting at the age of five and quickly gained recognition for his pace and racecraft
A 17-year-old from Northern Ireland has taken a huge step towards realising his Formula 1 dream. Magherafelt's Fionn McLaughlin recently clinched the 2025 British F4 Championship after a standout campaign, delivering five race victories and nine further podium finishes.
It's now been confirmed that McLaughlin will step up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship with the team for the 2026 season, completing an all-new line-up for the third rung of the ‘Road to F1’ ladder.
McLaughlin is one of the most promising talents in junior single-seaters and this huge step up comes less than a year after he made his competitive debut in car racing.
The Co Derry man began karting at the age of five and quickly gained recognition for his ability. By the time he was seven, he was already winning races in national competitions.
He continued his rise through the ranks of the British Karting Championships before stepping up to compete in the FIA European and World Karting Championships. In 2024 he achieved a notable victory in the Champions of the Future Euro Series at Valencia in the OK category.
Later that summer, McLaughlin's consistent performances earned him a place in the Red Bull Junior Team following a competitive evaluation in Jerez. He made his car racing debut with Hitech in the 2025 Formula Winter Series in January, taking part in all four rounds held in Portimão, Valencia, Aragon, and Barcelona. He secured three race victories, eight podium finishes, and finished third overall in the championship standings. Notably, he claimed the Rookie Class title at the Barcelona finale, underlining his swift progression in adapting to his new racing environment.
This set the stage for his assault on the British F4 Championship starting in April – a season marked by dominant lights-to-flag wins, fastest laps, and reverse-grid charges – showcasing both raw pace and composure under pressure. He won the Rookie Cup with two rounds to spare, achieving 17 class victories and eight further podiums.
"I’m incredibly proud of everything I’ve achieved this year – it’s already been a whirlwind journey from karting to single-seaters, and now stepping up to FIA Formula 3 with Hitech is a dream come true," said McLaughlin.
"I want to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, especially Hitech and the Red Bull Junior Team for their trust and belief in my potential.
“This next step is a huge opportunity for me. The competition will be tough, but I feel ready for the challenge. I’ve learned so much this season, from adapting quickly to different circuits and managing the pressures of race weekends, and I’m excited to keep pushing forward and proving myself. My goal is to continue progressing and make the most of every chance I get on the path to Formula 1.”
Hitech manager Paul Bellringer praised McLaughlin's 'maturity and racecraft' as they back him on the next step of his career.
“His rapid development and ability to adapt to different challenges – such as new circuits, F1-grade tracks like Silverstone GP and Zandvoort, and varying track conditions – will stand him in good stead for FIA Formula 3," said Bellringer. "We’re confident Fionn is ready for this next important step in his career, and we look forward to supporting his continued development as he aims for the top.”