Interview
Nakamura confident that he and Hitech have the ‘speed’ to be competitive in 2026
Jin Nakamura is confident that he and Hitech have what it takes to be competitive in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season, as he also expressed how grateful he was to be racing in the third tier.
The Japanese driver started racing in Europe last year, achieving podiums across his Formula Regional European and Middle East campaigns.
Prior to that, Nakamura spent three seasons racing in Japan, and as he now prepares for his 2026 campaign, he admits it is quite surreal for him to now be in F3.
“I'm quite grateful for this opportunity,” said Nakamura. “I couldn't have expected this kind of opportunity two years ago. It was only just a year and a half ago that I got the opportunity to try European racing.
“So, last year was quite a learning year, I'd say, and I couldn't get the best results. But, I had quite strong pace for the whole season. It was quite a positive thing, and I think it's going to help for this season.”
Having driven in the three post-season tests last year with Hitech, Nakamura stayed with the team through the winter, competing with them in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy.
Nakamura says continuing their work, while also racing against some of his other F3 rivals, has helped to prepare him for the upcoming year.
“They have quite a nice team in the factory,” said Nakamura of Hitech. “I have already spent a lot of time in there. I spent a lot of time with the Hitech engineers and my engineer for Formula 3 as well.
“So it's quite a nice environment for this season. I'm developing my driving as well with them, doing a lot work in the winter. Also, I did New Zealand as well. So, it has been quite a good winter preparing for this year.
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“I got confidence back in New Zealand. I showed quite nice pace at times. It is going very well.”
The 20-year-old impressed in New Zealand, achieving six podiums across the campaign, finishing fourth in the Standings behind his F3 rivals Ugo Ugochukwu, Freddie Slater and Louis Sharp.
Nakamura says he took a lot from being to share a paddock with several of the 2026 cohort.
“New Zealand was quite competitive,” said Nakamura. “So many quick and famous drivers like Ugo, Freddie, Ernesto Rivera, and Fionn McLaughlin as well.
“I know everyone is quite a good driver in Formula 3, and while we were not actually in the same team, I was Hitech, Ugo and Freddie were M2, but the maintenance was exactly the same team.
“We were in the same paddock when we are off the track. We could look at their data as well, not only Hitech, it was a good thing and it was quite a nice experience. I've never been to those kinds of tracks, so, it was quite a nice training. I got quite a lot of confidence from it.”
While confidence is high from the winter, Nakamura says he still has work to do ahead of the season, but is buoyed by the speed he knows he and Hitech have in store.
“I have some goals,” said Nakamura previewing 2026. “But I know I have to do a second step. I have a few steps to take. But, I want to focus on just my driving and how I can improve.
“So, that’s the biggest thing. I think we have speed. I have speed. But what's important is just how I can go about getting good results.”