Gabriele Mini has signed to race for Hitech GP in 2023 FIA F3 season.
The 17 year-old Italian’s move to F3 with Hitech GP comes after he finished second in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) this season, albeit 40 points behind eventual champion – Dino Beganovic who will also move up to F3 next season with PREMA.
“After two seasons in FRECA, FIA F3 is the logical step for me and I’m delighted to be joining Hitech for the 2023 season,” commented Mini on his decision to join Hitech after enjoying a positive post-season test with the team in September, where he topped the first day of running.
This won’t be the first time that Mini has driven for Hitech in a season, having previously worked together in Formula Regional Asia earlier this year, where he finished fourth in the driver standings with two race victories and several “strong results.”
Hitech will again be looking to fight for the drivers’ title next season after they fell short in the 2022 season finale with Isack Hadjar, following a thrilling campaign for the British-based team.
Those performances therefore have filled Mini with confidence that he can fare better than Hadjar who finished fourth overall this season, as he said: “The team did a solid job last season fighting for the driver’s title until the last round so I’m confident they will perform at the highest level.
“Testing in Jerez last month went well and I cannot wait to be back in the car next year.”
Mini enjoyed a bright start to life in single-seater racing as he won Italian F4 for PREMA in his rookie season in 2020 with four wins, eight further podium finishes and nine pole positions.
During that 2020 season, Mini also finished 10th in ADAC F4 – again with PREMA – despite only participating in six races – during which he took one win and a trio of third-placed podium places.
2021 saw Mini step up to FRECA with ART GP where he battled to a seventh-placed championship finish with four podiums, in a season where he had to adapt to a new category and team.
Hitech GP Team Principal, Oliver Oakes added that he had monitored Mini’s career since the Italian’s karting days – during which Mini won four titles plus claimed several top-three finishes – with the 17 year-old showing impressive “commitment and talent” when he joined Hitech for Formula Regional Asia.
Oakes also praised Mini for his regular season performances and for the team in the F3 post-season test, as he added: “He has had an impressive season in FRECA and he was instantly up to speed during the FIA F3 post-season testing in Jerez, so we look forward to seeing him with Hitech in 2023.”
Mini is the fourth driver confirmed for next season after Gabriel Bortoleto, Paul Aron and Beganovic, with F3 set to run a 10 round calendar next season as announced earlier this week – including inaugural trips to Australia and Monaco.
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