Hitech GP have announced the signing of seventeen-year-old Gabriele Mini who will race for them in the 2023 Formula 3 Championship.
Seventeen-year-old Italian Gabriele Mini was announced as Hitech GP’s first driver for the 2023 season. Following three seasons in the Formula Regional European and Asian Championships (FRAC/FREC), Mini participated in the Formula 3 post-season testing for Hitech GP alongside Sebastian Montoya and Reece Ushijima.
Path to F3
Mini began his karting career in 2012, at the age of seven. After several years of placing second in numerous karting championships, he made his single-seater debut in 2020 in the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 Championships. After winning the Italian F4 Championship, he moved up to the Formula Regional European Championship in 2021. This past season, Mini finished second in the championship to Dino Beganovic. Beganovic has already been confirmed to be on the 2023 F3 grid driving for PREMA.
Mini has experience working with Hitech GP in his FRAC season. Having raced for them in the past and participating in the post-season test, Mini has established a good rapport with his new F3 team. Following the announcement, Mini stated:
“We already worked together last winter in Formula Regional Asia and enjoyed strong results. The team did a solid job last season fighting for the drivers’ 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.”
Delighted to confirm I’ll be racing in @FIAFormula3 with @HitechGP next season‼️
📸: Hitech GP and Formula Motorsport Limited pic.twitter.com/yIxfa6Syfy
— Gabriele Minì (@MiniGabriele) November 3, 2022
Oliver Oakes (Team Principal for Hitech GP) added:
“I have been following Gabriele’s career for some time through karting, then into F4. We had the pleasure to work with him earlier this year in Asian F3 with good results, seeing first-hand his commitment and talent. 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.”
2023 Driver Lineup
Mini is the fourth driver that has been confirmed for next season. He is also the fourth driver that comes from the 2022 FREC grid. Mini and his fellow competitors have just five months left till the season starts.
- Trident Racing: Gabriel Bortoleto, TBD & TBD
- PREMA Powertrain: Paul Aron, Dino Beganovic & TBD
- Hitech GP: Gabriel Mini, TBD & TBD
Mini will be replacing 2022 rookie and Hitech GP driver Isack Hadjar. Hadjar finished fourth in F3 last season and will be racing for the team in F2 next year. Beganovic, Mini, and Aron all finished first, second and third in the 2022 FREC season respectfully, with all three now racing for top teams at a higher level, expect a continuation of their battles as they chase the coveted Formula 3 Championship.
