Fionn McLaughlin will step up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship with his team Hitech next season.
The 17-year-old Irish driver clinched the 2025 British F4 Championship after a standout campaign, delivering five race victories, nine further podiums, and consistently strong performances across a range of conditions.
He secured the title by a commanding 52.5-point margin, underlining his dominance throughout the year.
McLaughlin will now move on to the third rung of the 'Road to F1' ladder.
Regarded as one of the most promising talents in junior single-seaters, McLaughlin’s promotion to FIA F3 shows his career that has progressed at a quick pace.
The Derry teenager only made his competitive car racing debut with Hitech in the Formula Winter Series in January 2025
He said: "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.
"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’s FIA Formula 3 team manager Paul Bellringer said the team have been very taken by his talent: "At Hitech, we’ve closely followed Fionn’s progress in the entry categories of the Formula Winter Series and the British F4 Championship, and we’ve been consistently impressed by his speed, maturity, and racecraft.
"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. We’re confident Fionn is ready for this next important step."
Meanwhile, Motorsport Ireland academy drivers Jon Armstrong and Shane Byrne claimed victory at the European Rally Championship (ERC) round in Croatia over the weekend — their second win of the season.
The Irish duo capped off a fantastic 2025 campaign by securing second place in the overall championship standings, a great result for the M-sport/Ford team and Armstrong who only compete in sporadic rounds of the ERC.
Adding to the success, the young pairing of Craig Rahill and Conor Smith maintained their impressive form, retaining third overall in the Junior ERC Championship.
