Hitech’s Dino Beganovic has revealed his close relationship with Gabriel Bortoleto and the “surreal” nature of being in the Ferrari Driver Academy ahead of the 2025 Formula 2 season.

The Swedish driver made his debut in the junior category for DAMS Lucas Oil at the Qatar Grand Prix, qualifying in an impressive fourth place for the Feature race and taking his first points with a fifth place finish.

Beganovic went one better in Abu Dhabi, earning his first podium in the series thanks to the disqualification of Paul Aron, taking 22 points across his first two rounds in F2.

Following in the footsteps of Aron, Beganovic leaves Prema Racing after five years with the Italian team to join Hitech for the 2025 season.

Motorsport Week spoke exclusively with the 21-year-old, who is hoping to make his mark with his new team and insists the experience of last season helped in “proving some people wrong”.

“Definitely, I mean, having the opportunity to do those two rounds in F2, the whole aim was just to have some experience going into this year, gain as much experience as possible and just have a baseline of where we can work from,” Beganovic said.

“Obviously, we have a very good baseline to work from now.

“It went very well and I’m very, very happy with how it went after a tough season in Formula 3.

“I’m very happy that, jumping in a new car and just doing well and proving some people wrong, I think it was very important for me, but also some other people to see what I’m capable of.

“It’s a good starting point of what we can build on this year with my new team, Hitech.”

Beganovic ‘thankful’ for ‘close’ relationship with Bortoleto

The Linkoping-born racing driver made his debut in single-seater racing back in 2020 for the Italian Formula 4 Championship with Prema Powerteam.

His team-mate that season was Bortoleto, who has since gone onto become the F2 World Champion in 2024.

The Sauber-Formula 1 bound driver and Beganovic and have been close ever since, even sharing advice with each other on and off the track.

“Yeah, Gabriel and I, we are good friends since a long time,” he added.

“We were teammates in F4 and I think that’s where it kind of kicked off, being very good mates since then.

“Him having lived in Milan for a while, it was quite easy for us to meet and also having some weekends together, but also on track.

“When we were competing, maybe not sharing everything, for example, in Formula 3 in regional.

“But like I said, always mates outside the track and my best mate, and definitely for the last two rounds [of last season].

“Obviously he was in a very good position to win the championship, which he did in the end.

“He didn’t see me as a threat in that way and could share some stuff with me, which I’m very thankful for.

“It’s some stuff that can take races to learn and sometimes you need to do them yourself before and understanding that this is what happens when you do that, if you change some stuff with your driving in race scenario, quali scenario.

“So he definitely did give me some tips in that and I’m very thankful for that – it’s very nice to have this relationship with him.”

Switch to Hitech feels like ‘the right move’

Beganovic partners fellow F3 graduate Luke Browning at Hitech for the 2025 season, a driver he has lots of “respect” for.

Another driver he respects is his former team-mate Aron, who finished third for the British team in the F2 Drivers’ Standings in 2024.

However, he admitted he only played a “small part” in his decision to leave Prema, citing the need for change as the main reason for his exit.

“Well, I’ve been in Prema for five years, since I started my single-seater career in F4 after karting,” Beganovic explained.

“We definitely had a good couple of years together, winning the Formula Regional Championship in 22’ and having a strong first year in F3 as well.

“I don’t want to go into details of exactly why [I made] the change, but Hitech feels like the right move for me for this year.

“And looking at Paul, how well he did last year as well, I’ve been teammates with him for three seasons.

“He’s a very good driver and I’ve heard a lot of good things about the team, Hitech.

“So it did play maybe a small part, but not the biggest one.

“I just felt like I needed a change and some things that could have been better also last year in my second year of F3 as well with Prema.

“But I think it’s healthy to change the environment a bit and I’m very happy with at the moment what we are doing in Hitech and what we are building on.”

Beganovic: ‘It’s many driver’s dream to be a Ferrari driver’

Beganovic joined the Ferrari Driver Academy back in 2020 and he reportedly made his debut in a Ferrari F1 car in the team’s behind closed doors test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

The two-time F3 race winner touched on the “very special feeling” of being a Ferrari academy driver.

“Well, it’s many driver’s dream to be a Ferrari driver,” he said.

“I joined the Academy in 2020, so we’re starting our sixth year together, which is surreal actually.

“It’s a very special feeling to have them behind me and feeling the support of, I would say, the most iconic brand or team as well in motorsport.

“Just having them believe in you and giving you all the opportunities is very nice.

“They’ve definitely been a big part of my journey so far, giving some insights from Formula 1 if they have some different experience.

“If we are going to a new track, for example, for me in Qatar last year, it was helpful to get some insights from the Formula 1 team.

“Definitely using their simulator, both the F2 and F3 one, but as well as I’m doing a lot of work in the F1 sim.

“It definitely helps me as a driver, improving every time I’m in the sim and every lap I’m doing in the sim.

“With my feedback as well being very precise and good from early days in my career, I think it’s strong because eventually if you get the opportunity to jump in an F1 car, in an F1 team, you need to be prepared to do those stuff well.

“Giving feedback and having a good relationship with your engineers, mechanics and so on.

“Being and breathing in the air of Ferrari in Maranello is something special.”

Young Swede aims to be top F2 contender in 2025

Spearheading the F2 title fight next season will be the likes of the reigning F3 champion, Leonardo Fornaroli, Arvid Lindblad and Gabriele Mini.

After two consistent sixth-place finishes in back-to-back F3 seasons, Beganovic is hoping he can challenge at the front in F2 and he revealed how he will use his good friend Bortoleto as an inspiration.

“Well, that’s my goal and that’s what I’ve been working on and I’m working on right now to always be there in the top because I think the best example of winning a championship is Gabriel, having won F3, having won F2,” he revealed.

“Not a super good start in the F2 year.

“I mean, obviously he did take pole in Bahrain, but after that he didn’t score a massive amount of points.

“But he always was in the points.

“In the end, he had a very strong second half.

“So, looking at this every year, always being there in the top and taking points, that’s how you win championships.

“I’m looking to do that, but first we need to see where we are in Barcelona and then from there we will have a clear point what our expectations will be.

“But I’m definitely looking to be a contender this year.”

READ MORE: Ferrari junior Dino Beganovic joins Hitech as 2025 F2 grid takes shape

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FIA Formula 3 graduates Gabriele Mini and Luke Browning lead the latest driver announcements as the 2025 Formula 2 grid takes shape.

Mini and Browning both starred in this year’s F3 title chase with Prema and Hitech respectively, finishing second and third respectively in the Drivers’ Championship.

Both have since made their debuts in F2, Mini with Prema in Azerbaijan and Browning with ART Grand Prix in Azerbaijan, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

In 2025, they will represent Prema and Hitech on the final rung of the Formula 1 support ladder.

Mini, 19, standing in for Oliver Bearman at the Baku City circuit impressed, finishing third in the Sprint race on debut.

It’s unsurprising then that Prema wants to continue its relationship with the young Italian via a full F2 campaign in 2025.

“We are thrilled to continue working with Gabriele,” said Prema Team Principal Rene Rosin.

“We always kept him in very high regard, and after getting back with him for FIA F3, we are already looking forward to making the next step together.

“Having an early start was a great opportunity for both, especially because we have maximised it with some impressive results.

“Preparations for the year ahead have already started and the early signs are definitely promising.”

Mini, a member of the Alpine F1 Academy set-up, said: “[I’m] very happy to be joining PREMA in FIA F2 and to keep working together for another season.

“We showed excellent potential and speed throughout the whole year in Formula 3. After the great run at Baku, I hope we will keep working that way to try and fight at the front end of the championship again.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity and I want to thank All Road Management, Alpine, and everyone involved.”

Luke Browning and Hitech targeting 2025 F2 title

During his six-race spell in F2 this year with ART GP, Browning scored two top-10 finishes but returns to Hitech in 2025.

Hitech founder Oliver Oakes manages Browning’s affairs, having supported him since 2022 and the Williams Academy driver paid thanks to the Alpine Team Principal upon announcing his 2025 plans.

“I’m so happy that I’ll be racing in F2 with Hitech next season,” said Browning. “I’ve been through every category of single seater racing with this team and to be able to complete the ladder with them is incredibly important and special for me.”

“I would like to thank Oliver Oakes in particular for his support throughout the last three seasons. There is nothing I want more than to win the F2 Championship with this group of people around me, and that is our goal for 2025.”

Hitech Team Manager Clive Hatton added: “After three seasons with Hitech, Luke has worked closely with the team at every stage of his journey up the single-seater ladder. We’re extremely proud of his progression to F2, and to see him get his competitive F1 debut last week in Abu Dhabi.

“With Luke getting the opportunity to step up to Formula 2 for the final three rounds of the current season, coupled with the experience he has gathered from his Formula 1 Free Practice, and the Young Driver Test this week, we couldn’t have wished for better preparation for his 2025 campaign.

“Luke and Hitech share the same objective for 2025 – to win the Formula 2 Championship – and we have no doubt that he will be fighting for victories every step of the way.”

Sami Meguetounif sticks with Trident for rookie F2 campaign

Sami Meguetounif is joining Mini and Browning in jumping up to F2 for a rookie campaign in 2025.

Meguetounif will continue with the Trident team with which he embarked on his rookie F3 campaign this year, scoring two race victories.

He will partner Max Esterson at the Italian team in 2025.

“I am very happy and excited to make my debut in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with Team Trident,” said Meguetounif. “When I made my debut in Formula 3 with the Italian team twelve months ago, I did not think I would grow so quickly.

“This year I have worked with strong, intelligent and determined people. We have had an incredible season, which has allowed me, also thanks to two wonderful victories, to convince those who support me that it was time to move up a ladder. I can’t wait to take part in the Formula 2 post-season tests and enter a new phase of my career.”

Trident Team Manager Giacomo Ricci added: “We are very pleased to announce that Sami Meguetounif will compete with Trident Motorsport in the 2025 FIA Formula 2 Championship. We had the pleasure of working with Sami this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, obtaining remarkable results, as he has proven to be a winning driver. The move to the higher category represents a natural step at this stage of his career. I am sure that Sami has all the qualities to learn quickly and have a competitive season.”

Roman Stanek and Kush Maini join Invicta and DAMS

Elsewhere, Czech driver Roman Stanek will join 2024 F2 Teams’ Champion Invicta Racing for his third season in the series next year.

Stanek’s F2 journey began with Trident in 2022 and yielded a Sprint Race victory in Melbourne this year before he was replaced by Christian Mansell after the Italian round at Monza.

The 20-year-old welcomes 2024 F3 Champion Leonardo Fornaroli as a team-mate next year and said “I can’t wait to drive for Invicta Racing in 2025. The team has been fighting at the front of the field all season, achieved some really great results and is undoubtedly one of the most desirable options in the paddock for next year.

“That means there’ll be some pressure for Leonardo [Fornaroli] and I, but I think we’re up to the challenge. I’m ready for whatever F2 throws at me in 2025.”

Invicta Racing Team Principal Andy Roche added: “We’re thrilled to have Roman onboard for 2025. His experience of F2 in recent years, as well as the other series he’s raced in will be invaluable to Invicta Racing in 2025.

“I see the partnership between himself and Leonardo being extremely fruitful as well. That mix of approaches from a driver who knows the ropes and one fresh to the series will push the team forward, of that I have no doubt.”

Stanek’s signing at Invicta fills a seat left by Kush Maini, who will switch to DAMS in 2025 for his third F2 campaign, having thus far achieved

“I’m thrilled to be joining a team with such a strong pedigree and history in Formula 2 like DAMS Lucas Oil,” said Maini.

“I feel like my story in this championship isn’t completed yet, and I know that this is the right crew to help me further my career.

“I’ve taken pole positions and won races, so now it’s all about consistently delivering over the course of a campaign.

“I can’t wait to get started this week with post-season testing alongside Jak, and to form an experienced team as we look to battle for the championship in 2025.”

Dams Team Owner Charles Pic added: “We’re pleased to confirm Kush for next year as he’s a talented driver who has shown excellent raw speed throughout his time in the series.

“We know that together with our experienced team we can find the correct balance and ensure Kush has a consistent level of performance.

“We believe with Jak [Crawford] and Kush that we have a very strong partnership, which can help us to consistently fight at the front of the grid in 2025.”

READ MORE – Exclusive: Williams Academy Driver Luke Browning is targeting the 2025 F2 title

The post Gabriele Mini and Luke Browning lead 2025 F2 driver announcements appeared first on Motorsport Week.

The 2025 F1 Academy grid will grow from 15 full-time entries to 18 with the addition of Hitech, the all-female single-seater series announced on Friday.

In 2024 there were 15 full-time entries with three cars each operated by Prema, Rodin, MP Motorsport, Campos and ART Grand Prix.

Prema then operated a fourth machine at each round with a wildcard driver.

Next year Hitech will field two full-time drivers with a third rotating wildcard competitor at each round to make up the 18-car field.

This addition expands Hitech’s junior formula operation with the outfit competing in FIA Formula 2, Formula 3, as well as the GB3 Championship, British Formula 4 and Formula Winter Series.

Alpine Formula 1 Team Principal and Hitech founder Oliver Oakes said: “I’m delighted to confirm Hitech’s participation in F1 ACADEMY from the 2025 season.

“A platform that inspires and supports young girls and women to embark on their motorsport journey is one that we have always fundamentally believed in and the opportunity to translate support into positive action by entering a team in F1 ACADEMY is really important to us.

“We applaud the commitment and determination of Susie Wolff as the force behind the change that the series is driving.”

F1 Academy ‘proud’ to add Hitech to the 2025 grid

Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 ACADEMY said: “We are proud to be expanding the F1 ACADEMY grid to 18 cars in just our third season of racing.

“It’s clear to us that change is already in motion, and this expansion reflects not just the growing talent pool of drivers ready to make the step up but also the incredible growth of F1 ACADEMY as a platform to develop female talent.

“Hitech Grand Prix have an impressive history in the junior formula, including FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 and we are pleased to welcome them to our grid from 2025.”

Motorsport Week spoke exclusively to F1 Academy Competition Manager Delphine Biscaye in Zandvoort earlier this year where she revealed an intention to expand the grid in the near future.

“I think to make [the series] sustainable, the end goal is to increase the number of cars to show we’re stronger,” Biscaye explained.

“20 cars would make sense, probably, in the next three, four, five years.”

With the addition of Hitech, Biscaye and F1 Academy are just two cars short of that 20-strong goal.

READ MORE – Exclusive: what does the future hold for F1 Academy?

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Hitech driver Luke Browning converted his pole position into a Formula 3 Feature race win worth the lead of the Championship. Prema’s Gabriele Mini and Dino Beganovic completed the podium places.

While Tim Tramnitz dropped to P7 after being close to going into anti-stall during the start, Browning kept his lead relatively comfortably.

Right behind, Beganovic overtook multiple cars, including his teammate Arvid Lindblad to go from fifth to second place, chasing the race lead.

It was a two-three-four for Prema Racing after the first few laps of the race, with Beganovic followed by Lindblad and Mini.

Noel Leon, who started from 13th on the grid had a spectacular start and first few laps, moving up to sixth splitting the two Campos cars of Oliver Goethe and Sebastian Montoya.

Alex Dunne was also on the hunt during the first stage of the race, as he moved two places up from ninth to get past Nikola Tsolov and Montoya.

On Lap 7, Leon managed to sweep Dunne to keep making places, claiming fifth. Meanwhile, Montoya went to the pits to retire his car after contact with Tramnitz.

While the two leading Prema cars stayed in their positions, Lindblad descended to seventh after Goethe collided with his rear going into Turn 3, causing a bad exit for the Briton.

The incident was noted by the FIA briefly, with an investigation into the Montoya and Tramnitz incident also announced shortly after.

The first virtual safety car was summoned on Lap 12 as Campos driver Mari Boya, who won the Sprint Race at the last event in Spain, collided with Nikita Bedrin into Turn 3.

After a very brief VSC, the race was green-flagged and Leon wasted no time trying to make more places and move up into the podium.

Nonetheless, he had contact with Goethe and caused a puncture on his VAR Motorsport car, causing him to go into the gravel and lose everything he gained at the early stages of the race.

Tramnitz received a 10-second time penalty over his incident with Montoya with Dunne following briefly after with the same penalty for causing a collision. The MP driver was running in fifth and the penalty would make him drop off the point-scoring positions.

Boya also got a 10-second time penalty for his incident with Bedrin.

In the lead of the race, while Browning led all laps relatively comfortably until Lap 17, he started to get heavily pressured by Beganovic, who was close to the Briton’s mirrors.

The gap between the race leader and the Prema car was down to two-tenths into Lap 18, with Beganovic waiting for his opportunity to try a move for the lead.

Christian Mansell, who was running surrounded by his ART teammates for the majority of the race made the move on both Tsolov and Lindblad for sixth.

The charge didn’t stop there for Mansell, as he swept Goethe to claim fifth place with five laps to go.

Meanwhile, in the lead, Browning kept ahead relatively smoothly but Beganovic was still less than half a second behind, looking for an opportunity to make a move.

Nonetheless, Beganovic was the one under the thread as Mini tried to claim second place with a move into Turn 3.

Ultimately, the Swedish driver kept his place with only two laps to go, successfully defending from Mini and Mansell, who were looking to get into the podium places.

This didn’t last long, as Mini was able to move past his Prema teammate with a fantastic move around the outside of Turn 4.

Nonetheless, Beganovic fought back with a move into Turn 3 on the last lap, with Mini re-gaining the place again repeating his move into Turn 4.

This battle granted a huge gap to Browning, who comfortably crossed the line in first, moving into the lead of the Formula 3 Drivers’ Championship.

Prema completed the podium after their fantastic fight for second between their drivers, with Mini bringing it home ahead of Beganovic.

Mansell, disappointed after what he felt was a missed shot for the win yesterday during the Sprint, just missed on the podium places and had to settle with fourth. Nonetheless, It was an impressive comeback from eleventh on the grid.

Right behind was Goethe in fifth, with ART’s Tsolov finishing sixth after his win on Saturday.

Lindblad, Laurens Van Hoepen, Leonardo Fornaroli, and Dunne completed the top-10 after the penalties were all applied.

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Williams Racing Academy Driver Luke Browning set the pace in Formula 3 pre-season testing in Bahrain, topping the timesheets in the final two days of running.

The action got underway at the Sakhir International Circuit on Sunday, February 11 and ran through to Tuesday, February 13.

On the opening day of action it was the rookies who stole the limelight, with MP Motorsport’s Alex Dunne setting the fastest time in a rain hampered morning session and fellow rookie Noel León of Van Amersfoort Racing setting the benchmark of 1:46.657s in a drier afternoon session after 19 laps of running.

León’s time was 0.015s quicker than second place Oliver Goethe of Campos Racing (who completed 20 laps) and 0.171s faster than third place driver Tim Tramnitz of MP Motorsport (who completed 22 laps).

“Really happy with the lap,” said the 2023 Euroformula Open Champion after going fastest on the opening day of the test.

“We did an amazing job. Thanks to the team for the car, obviously it is a lot of work to do, we still have two more days but always happy to be on top.

“To be honest it was the first time in the car since last year, so I was really excited to be back. “It feels great but obviously we are going to work a little bit more to be competitive on the other days. Obviously, I’ve never driven in Bahrain, so I am learning the track.

“But just super happy to be able to put P1 on the board today. We still need to learn a little bit more and get used to the track, and to get used to the car once again. But obviously it’s a really good day.”

Day 2

Conditions improved on the second day of running, allowing drivers to get more laps under their belt.

After the morning session had concluded, Jenzer Motorsport’s Charlie Wurz stood at the top of the timesheets with a 1:46.963s laptime set within 30 laps of running.

Into the afternoon and it was Hitech’s Browning who ascended to the top of the leaderboard, completing 32 laps in the session and making his fastest tour in a time of 1:46.819s.

Browning’s effort was just 0.066s faster than MP Motorsport rookie Dunne (who completed 36 laps), who continued to impress after topping the rain-affected morning session on Sunday.

Third at the end of the second day’s running was Dunne’s MP Motorsport team-mate Tramnitz (35 laps) with a time of 1:46.976s, 0.157s off of Browning’s time.

Browning will undoubtedly be a title favourite going into the 2024 season with a rookie campaign under his belt along with a 2023 Macau Grand Prix victory and after topping the second day of running he outlined his title ambitions.

“The amount that I’ve learned from last year to this year, it’s been massive,” said the WIlliams Academy Driver.

“I’ve been picked up not only by Williams but by the structure and the support team I’ve got around me, it’s really good and that is thanks to them. We are in the right place; I think we’ve got the right team around us and hopefully that will show why we are hopefully going to be title contenders this year.”

Day 3

With the afternoon session being dedicated to predominantly race runs, it was Tuesday morning’s action that saw the ultimate pace settled.

Browning continued to impress in the final morning session of the three-day test, setting the fastest lap (1:46.566s) and completing the most amount of laps (35).

After completing 32 laps, ART Grand Prix’s Nikola Tsolov was second fastest with a time of 1:46.825s, with Jenzer’s Max Esterson third after setting a fastest time of 1:46.836s across his 26-lap stint.

ART GP’s Martinis Stenshorne (1:46.979s/31 laps) was fourth, ahead of fifth-placed León (1:47.196s/33 laps).

There were three ART GP drivers in the top 10 thanks to sixth place Laurens van Hoepen, who set a time of 1:47.298s in his 32 laps of running.

Next up was a trio of Trident runners, led by seventh-place Sami Meguetounif (1:47.323s/32 laps), followed by Leonardo Fornaroli (1:47.372s/28 laps) and Santiago Ramos (1:47.343s/28 laps).

Dunne completed the top-10 (1:47.381s/30 laps).

In the afternoon race run focussed session, Browning was also amongst the top places, solidifying his candidacy for the most impressive driver throughout testing.

The Hitech driver placed third in the afternoon session, completing 31 laps and setting a fastest time of 1:48.365s.

He was bettered by second place León, with the Van Amersfoort Racing rookie continuing to impress after topping the opening day of running.

The Mexican completed 29 laps and set a fastest time of 1:48.360s on Tuesday afternoon.

Topping the final session however was PREMA’s Dino Beganovic, who clocked 33 laps of the Sakhir International Circuit and posted a fastest time of 1:48.285s.

Beganovic returns to F3 for a second campaign in 2024 with the highest 2023 standing of all sophomore drivers.

After scoring four podiums and finishing sixth in last year’s ranking, Beganovic was happy with his race runs across the test, particularly in the final session when he achieved the fastest lap.

“It was a positive test, really really happy to be back on track after a long winter break,” he said.

“I’ve not been in the car since Macau. Really happy to be back racing and to be back driving the car.

“It’s been an intense three days of testing, we definitely learned something, and we know what we need for the weekend here, which is really good.

“I’m happy about this, especially that we learned something because that’s what testing is for, not to put a good lap time but it’s a bonus to put a good lap time, and I’m happy to finish off the test like this and to have a good feeling going heading into the race.

“The race sims looked pretty good from our side. Also to finish off today with a good performance run was nice. But I’m mainly happy that we learned so much from this test.”

The Formula 3 season begins in Bahrain on February 29 – March 02.

The post Browning sets the pace for Hitech in 2024 Formula 3 testing appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Williams Driver Academy member Luke Browning will remain with Hitech Pulse-Eight for a second season in Formula 3 in 2024, the team has confirmed.

The Briton graduated into F3 this past season and scored one podium – second place in the Barcelona Sprint race – to finish 15th in the standings with 41 points.

Browning will return to the third-tier series with Hitech again next year, after concluding the current racing season with a win at the famed Macau Grand Prix.

“I am super excited to announce I’ll be joining the grid with Hitech Pulse-Eight for the 2024 Formula 3 season,” Browning confirmed.

“I have an abundance of faith in the team around me, with the things we learned throughout the season last year I believe we will be able to build on our skills and ability to execute which we showed a glimmer of most recently in Macau.”

“This Championship will never be easy with the standard of drivers but also with just the nature of the Championship. However, having visited all of the tracks we’re going to next year once before, I believe puts us in a great position to score points in every race weekend going forward.

“I’m super grateful to Williams Racing and Hitech Pulse-Eight for their support going into the new season. Consistently delivering is the goal, and one I look forward to achieving next year.”

The 21-year-old previously competed with the British Hitech outfit in 2022 when he won the GB3 Championship, with five race wins and 13 podiums that season.

Those exploits helped to earn him the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award for that year, earning him a test run in the Silverstone-based squad’s 2021 AMR21 F1 car.

Browning, who has also conducted a test run in a Formula E car for McLaren earlier this year, was recruited into the Williams Driver Academy in April 2023.

Hitech Team Manager Paul Bellringer added: “We are delighted to have Luke racing with the team again in his second season of FIA Formula 3.

“We are confident in his ability to fight for wins and come away with a consistent set of results. Following our win in Macau together last month, we are eager to be fighting upfront from the get-go when the 2024 season commences in February.”

Meanwhile, it was revealed earlier this week that Oliver Goethe will embark on a second campaign in F3, moving across from Trident to the Campos team.

The Red Bull Junior Team racer, who wound up eighth in his debut season in F3 with a victory at Silverstone, is the Spanish outfit’s first confirmed driver for 2024.

“I am excited to be back with Campos Racing for a full season! They helped to make my entrance to FIA F3 as smooth as possible back in 2022,” Goethe said.

“This year we completed a successful post-season testing programme and the Macau GP together which makes me feel positive about what’s coming next. My goal is to fight for wins and podiums from the start and be consistent. That’s what matters the most in this Championship.”

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Hitech Grand Prix has confirmed that Jüri Vips will remain with the team for the remainder of the Formula 2 season, a decision that has been questioned by the championship itself.

Vips was sacked by Red Bull on Tuesday after making a racist remark while live-streaming a gaming session on Twitch last week.

On Wednesday Vips’ Hitech team confirmed that he will continue to represent the squad through the remainder of the current Formula 2 campaign.

“I have made the decision for Juri to keep his F2 seat with Hitech for the remainder of the season, a decision we have seriously debated,” said Hitech team boss Ollie Oakes.

“Allowing him to complete his season with Hitech is an opportunity for him to demonstrate, through his actions, the type of person he is.

“I have made it clear that I think the language used was totally unacceptable but I choose to give him the chance to redeem himself.

“Hitech GP employs an inclusive workforce and has never condoned racism or offensive behaviour in any forms. That said, if we live in a society where no one can make a mistake, then genuinely apologise, have the chance for redemption and learn from it – what does it say about society?

“I don’t know why he said what he said. I don’t know why he was playing and streaming C.O.D at that time of day. Certainly there are things that would have been far more beneficial for his career!

“What I do know is that having his contract terminated by Red Bull as a result of his actions is a crushing experience for him, a deservedly severe punishment. The reality is there will not be unanimous agreement whether that punishment is sufficient, and that is totally understandable.”

Oakes went on to stress that Vips “must now grasp every opportunity to do so. He needs to make lasting changes and not just short-term virtue-signalling comments.

“While this may not satisfy everyone I believe we all deserve a second chance in life, but never a third. Juri’s self-respect, his reputation and his career are now firmly in his hands.”

In a statement released to coincide with Hitech’s announcement Formula 2 queried the development.

“Following the recent incident involving Jüri Vips, F2 would like to reaffirm that the use of racist or discriminatory language cannot be tolerated in any environment,” read a statement provided by championship organisers.

“Hitech Grand Prix’s decision today is surprising and not one we would have taken. We will monitor the situation carefully with them to ensure that such behaviour is properly addressed.”

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Hitech Grand Prix has terminated its sponsorship agreement with Russian fertiliser company Uralkali.

Hitech has been partnered by Uralkali since 2016, the year in which Nikita Mazepin, son of the company’s co-owner Dmitry, raced for the team in European Formula 3.

Mazepin competed for Hitech in Formula 2 in 2020 – the year in which the team graduated to the championship – prior to his step up to Formula 1 with Haas.

Documents released by Companies House last month revealed that a holding company controlled by Dmitry Mazepin had relinquished its shares in Hitech, with team boss Oliver Oakes taking full control.

On Tuesday Hitech confirmed that it had severed its connection with Uralkali.

Its branding had already been removed from its Formula 2 cars during last week’s test in Bahrain.

Hitech finished fourth in last year’s Formula 2 standings and claimed three victories.

Red Bull-backed junior Juri Vips will continue with its Formula 2 team this year and he has been joined by ex-Ferrari protégé Marcus Armstrong.

In Formula 3 Hitech will field Kaylen Frederick, Isack Hadjar and Nazim Azman.

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Marcus Armstrong will compete for Hitech Grand Prix in this year’s FIA Formula 2 Championship.

The ex-Ferrari junior stepped up to the category with ART Grand Prix in 2020 and last year represented DAMS.

Armstrong claimed his sole victory to date at Jeddah en route to 13th place in the final standings.

Armstrong will link up with Red Bull junior Juri Vips at Hitech, having tested for the squad at the end of 2021.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Hitech this season in Formula 2,” said Armstrong.

“Team Principal Oliver Oakes brought me to Europe a few years back and I saw Hitech in the early days. Since then, it’s transformed into one of the powerhouses of Formula 2 and 3.

“I’m looking forward to be working with a successful group of people and giving it everything I’ve got in my new Hitech team this year.”

Only five seats now remain on this year’s Formula 2 grid, ahead of the opening round of 2022 alongside Formula 1’s Bahrain Grand Prix in mid-March.

Only ART Grand Prix, Campos Racing, Trident Motorsport, Charouz Racing System and Van Amersfoort Racing have a vacancy apiece.

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Roman Stanek will remain in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2021, making the switch to Hitech GP after his first full season in the series last year.

The Czech driver was a late call-up to Charouz in 2020, completing the entire season with the team and scoring a best result of eighth at Monza.

Stanek will join Red Bull juniors Jak Crawford and Ayumu Iwasa at the team, who were both confirmed last week.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Hitech in FIA F3 and Asian F3,” Stanek said.

“The Asian F3 season opener will get underway in a couple of weeks, so I am looking forward to getting back out in the car after a long break.

“I’m really excited to work with a new team and will be putting in the hard work for a successful season.”

Stanek’s step up to F3 last year came after he won the rookie title in the 2019 ADAC Formula 4 Championship, as well as finishing fifth in the Italian F4 series.

He will also compete in the 2021 Asian F3 Championship with Hitech, which is set to get underway in later this month at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

Hitech Team Principal Oliver Oakes said: “We are delighted to have Stanek on board as we embark on what we hope will be another successful season.

“We always look forward to working with new drivers, and Stanek has shown the talent required in FIA F3 and Asian F3.”

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