BREAKING: RAFAEL CAMARA JOINS HAAS

Rafael Camara will join the Haas F1 Team in 2027 on a multi-year contract, the American team officially confirmed. The 21-year-old Brazilian Ferrari junior driver will replace Esteban Ocon and is expected to partner Oliver Bearman.

Dominating the Junior Series

Camara's promotion to F1 is built on an impressive junior record. He won the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship and then claimed the Formula 3 title in his rookie season in 2025. Currently, he leads the Formula 2 standings by 7 points with two rounds remaining and could become the first driver to win FRECA, F3, and F2 titles in three consecutive seasons.

Impressing Haas in Testing

Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu explained that the decision was made after a rigorous evaluation process including a TPC test at Portimão in August, where Camara drove the team's 2025 car: "He showed us more than just raw speed. Rafa managed to create an environment to get the best out of himself, it was very impressive and certainly the laps he completed were special."

A Proven Path from Ferrari Academy

Camara follows the same path as current Haas driver Oliver Bearman from the Ferrari Driver Academy. Team owner Gene Haas expressed confidence: "These younger drivers are well prepared, and they can make an immediate impact on a team."

F1A FORMULA 1, FORMULA 2 AND FORMULA 3 CALENDER

 

F3: UGOCHUKWU IS CROWNED 2026 CHAMPION AS TAPONEN EARNS MAIDEN WIN

Ugo Ugochukwu claimed the Formula 3 title in the final race of the season as Tuukka Taponen became an F3 winner for the first time in the Madrid Feature Race 2.

Ugo Ugochukwu has won the F3 Drivers’ Championship, taking the title in the final race of the season in Madrid to beat Freddie Slater to the crown.

Ugochukwu finished P2 on the road to become the first F3 Champion from the United States, while Tuukka Taponen became the first Finnish driver to win an F3 race as he secured top spot in Feature Race 2 on Sunday.

From there, the MP Motorsport driver controlled the gap to Ugochukwu behind, with the Campos Racing car staying within touching distance and DRS range throughout.

A late-race Safety Car set up a final lap sprint to the finish, but Taponen remained calm and collected to take his first F3 victory in the final race of the 2026 season.

The result means Ugochukwu is the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Drivers' Champion, finishing on 159 points. Slater winds up second in the standings on 145 points. Taponen's win lifts the Finn up to third in the Championship.

Entering the day level on points with Slater and starting from P2, the Campos driver kept himself out of trouble to earn a podium to complete a turnaround, having trailed the Briton in the points coming into this weekend.

Pedro Clerot was on the podium once again in Madrid after taking his first F3 victory in Feature Race 1 on Saturday, rounding out the rostrum in third position for Rodin Motorsport.

Slater, the TRIDENT and Audi Development Driver, finished where he started in eighth position, leaving him second in the points after a season-long battle.

For an in-depth report of the final FIA Formula 3 Feature Race of 2026, head to the official website here.

- Formula 1

LANDO NORRIS UNVEILS BRAND NEW F1 FEEDER SERIES TEAM CALLED 'LN4 FUSION'

Norris announces new Motorsport Venture

Reigning Formula 1 World Champion Lando Norris is looking toward the future of Motorsport, co-founding a junior single-seater team and development programme called LN4 Fusion.

It’s been a big week for Norris, with the Briton announcing a contract extension to remain with McLaren until at least 2030, as well as launching a new pathway to help young racing talent on their way to the coveted F1 series.

LN4 Fusion is currently participating in a unique British Formula 4 testing programme, hoping to secure a grid spot in the coming seasons. Additionally, the team has entered the F2 team selection process ahead of the 2027 season.

But the British team has already secured entries into some of Motorsport’s most coveted Feeder Series. In the coming season, LN4 Fusion will feature in Italian F4, the Formula Regional European Championship and even Formula 3. Crucially, the team have acquired select assets of the current AIX Racing team, ultimately securing its place on the grid until the end of 2027.

Ahead of its inaugural season, LN4 Fusion has secured some of motorsport’s most exciting names. Leading the charge is Rene Rosin. The Italian has had 40 years of Motorsport experience, most well-known for his involvement with the iconic PREMA Racing team.

Meanwhile, Dan Hazlewood will lead LN4 Fusion’s UK operations. Hazlewood has successfully led the Fusion Motorsport Karting team in recent years, serving as a crucial figure for the upcoming team.

Alongside the new team, Norris is launching the LN4 Legacy Programme, an independent and fully funded driver development programme operated by ADD Management. Julian Rouse will lead the programme. It aims to identify and support outstanding young Motorsport talent, giving them access to elite coaching, mentoring and career support, all of which Norris deemed crucial on his journey to becoming an F1 World Champion.

Reactions from the LN4 Fusion team

When reflecting on the team, Norris highlighted the importance of this project to him. Emphasising that whilst Motorsport is a difficult path to follow for many, he hopes this new venture can create ‘new opportunities’ for the next generation.

“I’ve been really lucky to have some amazing people around me throughout my career, and I know that getting to Formula 1 takes so much more than just talent,” Norris explained.

“You need the right people around you, the right support and the right opportunities at the right time. That’s what these two projects are all about. LN4 Fusion is about building a race team that can compete with the best in junior motorsport, with great people and a great environment for drivers to develop.

“The LN4 Legacy Programme is about helping talented young drivers get opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“For me, they naturally fit together. I want to help create opportunities for the next generation, both on and off the track, and hopefully make a real difference to young drivers coming through the sport.”

Team Principal Rosin explained the importance of Norris’ involvement in the new venture. Claiming he is excited to build the team in the right direction.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to contribute my experience to an independent, vision-driven sporting programme with strong backing, a clear long-term vision and the resources required to build it properly.

“Having Lando on board adds a further dimension to this project. He has come through the junior single-seater ranks and understands its demands. His involvement will make a real difference to the team.”

- Tiana Soans

ZDENĚK CHOVANEC HAS PASSED AWAY

 

The FIA is deeply saddened by the passing of Zdeněk Chovanec, who completed in the FIA Formula 3 Championship back in 2021-2022.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Zdeněk’s family and friends.

- FIA

AUDI CONFIRMS FREDDIE SLATER AS FIRST SIGNING OF NEW F1 DRIVER PROGRAMME

Audi F1 has launched a Driver Development Programme, and its first signee is one of the most exciting young prospects in the world, Freddie Slater.

In what Audi calls its ‘first concrete step’ in their blueprint to identify and develop future Formula 1 drivers, Slater represents a marquee signing, as the reigning Formula Regional European champion prepares for his first full Formula 3 season in 2026.

Audi confirms Freddie Slater as first junior driver

Audi has arrived on the grid for F1 2026, following its takeover of the Sauber squad. Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto remain for the transition, as both drivers prepare to front the Audi charge in the German brand’s debut F1 season.

But, Audi is already looking ahead to the future by forming a Driver Development Programme. In its very first signing, Audi has brought in one of the top young talents in the world.

Slater will be targeting an F3 title challenge in 2026, now with Audi behind him. This marks the first time that Slater has affiliated himself with any driver academy.

Slater, the 17-year-old from Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, has the Ginetta Junior Winter, Ginetta Junior, UAE Formula 4, Italian Formula 4 and Formula Regional European Championship titles all on his CV.

Slater broke the record previously held by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli for the most wins in an Italian F4 season. Antonelli won 13, but Slater took 15 race wins in 2024, as well as 11 pole positions.

161 points clear of runner-up Jack Beeton by the end of the season, that was the biggest winning margin ever seen in Italian F4.

Slater followed that up by winning the 2025 FRECA title, and also impressed during his part-time F3 appearances, finishing P2 on debut with AIX Racing in the Bahrain Sprint race.

Set to race full-time in F3 2026 with Trident, Slater has joined forces with Audi as their first F1 development driver.

Reacting to the announcement, Slater said: “It’s an incredible honour to be the first driver selected for the Audi Driver Development Programme.

“Audi is a brand with a legendary motorsport history, and to have their trust and support at this crucial stage of my career is a dream come true.

“Joining forces with a respected team like Trident Motorsport for Formula 3 and having the backing of Audi Revolut F1 Team is a massive opportunity. I am fully focused on working hard and making the most of this pivotal step towards my goal of reaching Formula One.”

Audi Driver Development Programme chief Allan McNish added: “In Freddie, we see the immense potential of a future star.

“His track record is remarkable, but more importantly, he possesses the focus, determination, and willingness to learn that are essential for reaching the pinnacle of our sport.

“He is the ideal candidate to be the first signing of the Audi Driver Development Programme, and we are committed to providing him with the tools, mentorship, and support he needs to succeed as he steps up to Formula 3 with Trident Motorsport.

“This is the first step in building our future on and off the track.”

- Jamie Woodhouse

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FRANCO COLAPINTO ON POLE IN HIS FIRST F3 QUALIFYING | F3

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