Champion McLaughlin 'ready' for Formula 3 step

Fresh off the back of his British F4 title, Fionn McLaughlin arrives at Spanish circuit Jerez on the eve of his first Formula 3 test.

He takes a look around and notices some steps where he had filmed a video 14 months earlier.

A talented driver in karting, McLaughlin had yet to make the breakthrough into car racing and in August 2024 he made his way from Northern Ireland to Jerez for a shootout to join Red Bull Racing's junior team.

McLaughlin impressed and hasn't looked back.

After a dominant British F4 campaign, it was announced the 17-year-old, now a fully-fledged member of Red Bull academy, would race in Formula 3 in 2026 alongside the stars of Formula 1.

What a difference a year can make.

"I came here for the Red Bull Shootout with nothing to my name, and now I'm about to drive in Formula 3 at the exact same track," McLaughlin told BBC Sport NI.

"It's quite special, I never really thought about coming back here. It's just amazing."

It was a superb campaign in British F4 for McLaughlin, who secured the title with two races to spare and picked up five races victories as well as the rookie championship.

He was visibly emotional after finishing the job at the first time of asking in Saturday's opener at Brands Hatch, and it was his first championship since winning a national karting title when he was seven years old.

His family and friends, who have been with him on the journey, were there to savour the moment with him and Monday's announcement capped an unforgettable weekend.

"It was surreal. I was just trying to enjoy the last weekend in F4," McLaughlin said.

"It was very emotional. I had been working my whole life for this. To have the first championship under my belt in car racing is just amazing.

"Everyone in my family had sacrificed so much as well, so it was just a pleasure and hopefully I can have a better future as well."

Results are one thing in motorsport, but it was McLaughlin's rapid progress in his first season of car racing that really impressed Helmut Marko, a key figure in Red Bull's Junior programme.

Less than 24 hours after taking the chequered flag in his final British F4 race, McLaughlin had arrived in Spain ready for the next step in his career, for testing with Hitech ahead of the 2026 Formula 3 season.

The traditional motorsport ladder would have seen McLaughlin take a step up to the British GB3 Championship, or maybe a move to a European championship.

Going straight to Formula 3 is a big leap for a driver with one, albeit very successful, year in car racing.

But there's no doubt in his mind that he will make the most of the opportunity.

"I'm think I'm ready. I had a good season and Helmut believes in my ability to do a good job. I'll work hard and prove to a lot of people that I can do good things.

"When Helmut rung me and said I would be competing in Formula 3 next year, I didn't really know how to take it in, it was quite a weird moment but I was so happy with it. I'm really excited to get going.

"It's amazing how quickly it has happened, from racing in British F4 on Sunday and now I'm going to be testing for Formula 3 in Spain. Motorsport moves quickly so you have to take every chance you get."

And McLaughlin knows how big this opportunity is.

Racing on the same weekends as Formula 1 is the dream for any driver, and a chance to impress in front of the sport's biggest names.

But the teenager knows that can't be a distraction as he looks to build on his British F4 campaign.

"It's exciting but I'm focused on my job and my job only. It will be tough but I'll work hard behind the scenes," McLaughlin added.

"I want to be on that F1 grid someday so my focus is on doing a good rookie season and maybe take away a few wins as well.

"I believe I'm here right now because I knew I would be some day. Two years ago was quite different, but we have always worked hard to make steps and that is what we'll try to keep doing.

"We'll keep our feet on the ground and keep working hard. Being grateful and having gratitude is the most important thing in life. Life moves fast so I'm just trying to live in the moment.

"But I'll work as hard as I can to try and win the championship, that's the main goal for anything, but I want to have a good year and enjoy it."