It’s time for some more Motorsport Predictions as this time I will be Predicting the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship. There are 30 drivers on this Grid so this gives me more opportunities to get things right, and more importantly, more things wrong!
P30: Piotr Wisnicki
For the second straight year, I’ve predicted Piotr Wisnicki to finish last in the Formula 3 Standings. The 20-year-old Polish racing driver is driving for Rodin Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 19th in the 2020 Italian F4 Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Wisnicki scored 0 points in 8 Races in his Rookie year on his way to 34th in the Championship! I have no reason to expect anything strong from Piotr Wisnicki this year.
P29: Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak
Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak is about to step up to FIA Formula 3. The 18-year-old Thai racing driver is driving for PHM AIX Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 5th in the 2021 Formula 4 UAE Championship. Whilst Tasanapol may have the coolest name in all of motorsport, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s good enough to compete in Formula 3.
P28: Tommy Smith
Tommy Smith is back for a second year in FIA Formula 3. The 21-year-old Australian racing driver is driving for Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 7th in the 2019 Australian Formula 4 Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Smith failed to score a point in his Rookie Season on his way to 28th in the Championship. Tommy Smith didn’t do very well last year and I don’t expect him to do particularly well this year either.
P27: Joshua Dufek
After appearing in the final round of the 2023 Season, Joshua Dufek is now ready for a full F3 Season. The 19-year-old Austrian-Swiss racing driver is driving for PHM AIX Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 4th in the 2020 F4 Spanish Championship. I don’t expect much from Joshua this year, mainly due to the team he’s at.
P26: Matias Zagazeta
Matias Zagazeta is about to get his chance in FIA Formula 3. The 20-year-old Peruvian racing driver is driving for Jenzer Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was second in the 2021 F4 British Championship. Despite that achievement, Matias has struggled the last couple of years and that’s why I’ve got him this low.
P25: Nikita Bedrin
Nikita Bedrin is back for a second year in FIA Formula 3. The 18-year-old Russian (driving under an Italian license) racing driver is driving for PHM AIX Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was P4 in both the 2022 Formula 4 UAE and ADAC Formula 4 Championships. When it comes to Formula 3, Bedrin managed 2 Podiums in his Rookie Season on his way to finishing 18th in the Standings. I think Nikita is a decent driver, but I don’t expect him to do too much given the team he’s at. However, I do expect him to be PHM’s lead driver.
P24: Max Esterson
Max Esterson will be hoping to be the lead Jenzer driver in 2024. The 21-year-old American racing driver is driving for Jenzer Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was third in the 2021 National Formula Ford Championship. It’s hard to really know how competitive that Championship is which is why I couldn’t really place Max any higher.
P23: Charlie Wurz
Charlie Wurz will certainly be aiming for points in his Rookie F3 Season. The 18-year-old Austrian-British racing driver is driving for Jenzer Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2022 Formula 4 UAE Championship as well as the 2023 Formula Regional Oceania Championship. I think Charlie will be Jenzer’s best driver in 2024, but I still don’t expect much from him.
P22: Laurens van Hoepen
After a couple of years competing in Formula Regional, Laurens van Hoepen steps up to Formula 3. The 18-year-old Dutch racing driver is driving for ART Grand Prix in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was third in the 2021 Ultimate Cup Series (F3 Regional). It’s worth mentioning that van Hoepen only drove half of that series and managed to finish on the Podium in all 9 attempts. However, despite that, it’s hard to really know how good that Championship was and when you consider his two rather uninspiring years in FRECA, I simply can’t place Laurens any higher than this and I expect him to be the lowest-ranked ART driver in 2024.
P21: Mari Boya
Mari Boya is back for a second year in Formula 3. The 19-year-old Spanish racing driver is driving for Campos Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was second in both the 2020 F4 Spanish and 2023 Eurocup-3 Championships. When it comes to Formula 3, Boya scored 1 Podium in his Rookie Season and he ultimately finished 17th in the Standings. Mari ended last year on a good note, but he’s moved to a worse team over the winter break and that’s why I have him this low.
P20: Sebastian Montoya
Sebastian Montoya returns to Formula 3, but without the backing of Red Bull Racing this time around. The 18-year-old Colombian racing driver is driving for Campos Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 4th in the 2021 Italian F4 Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Montoya scored 1 Podium in his Rookie Season on his way to 16th in the Championship. Given Sebastian is arguably in a poorer team this year plus the fact that Red Bull have dropped him makes me think he’s just going to have a pretty average season yet again.
P19: Joseph Loake
Joseph Loake, the latest winner of the Aston Martin Autosport BRDC Award, is hoping for a positive first year in F3 machinery. The 18-year-old British racing driver is driving for Rodin Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was P1 in the 2020 BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship. Amazingly, Loake won every race in that season! Joseph’s definitely had a decent Junior Formula Career up to this point and I expect him to have a pretty decent year.
P18: Nikola Tsolov
Nikola Tsolov is aiming to prove a lot of people wrong in 2024. The 17-year-old Bulgarian racing driver is driving for ART Grand Prix in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2022 F4 Spanish Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Tsolov had a pretty disappointing Rookie Season, ultimately finishing 22nd in the Standings. It’s worth mentioning that Nikola is a member of the Alpine Academy. I actually predicted Nikola Tsolov to finish second in the Championship, and that hauntingly bad Prediction is why I’ve only placed him in P18 this year.
P17: Sophia Florsch
Sophia Florsch is hoping to move up the Grid now she’s with a strong team. The 23-year-old German racing driver is driving for Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) in 2024 and her highest-ever Championship finish was P7 in the 2019 Formula Regional European Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Florsch has driven in two seasons and her highest Championship finish was 23rd (last year). What that 23rd place finish doesn’t tell you is Sophia Florsch was the only driver to score any points for PHM Racing in 2023 (F2 and F3) and the fact she’s moved to a better team makes me think Sophia will move up the Championship order.
P16: Santiago Ramos
Santiago Ramos is hoping to be good enough to compete with the best in FIA Formula 3. The 20-year-old Mexican racing driver is driving for Trident in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 11th in last year’s Formula Regional European Championship. To be honest, Santiago’s Junior Career is pretty poor and I’ve only put him this high in my Predictions due to Ramos being at Trident.
P15: Callum Voisin
Callum Voisin is looking to continue his strong Junior Formula Career. The 17-year-old British racing driver is driving for Rodin Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won last year’s GB3 Championship. I think Callum Voisin looks to be a pretty decent driver and I think he’ll earn his way to a much stronger team for 2025.
P14: Cian Shields
Cian Shields will be aiming to learn a lot in his first year in Formula 3. The 18-year-old British racing driver is driving for Hitech Pulse-Eight in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was second in last year’s Euroformula Open Championship. I think Cian Shields will have a decent first year in F3, but I do expect him to finish last out of the three Hitech drivers (in the Championship).
P13: Sami Meguetounif
Sami Meguetounif is about to enter his first year in FIA Formula 3. The 19-year-old French racing driver is driving for Trident in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was 4th in the 2020 French F4 Championship. Looking at his Junior Career, I have to say I’m a little bit surprised that Sami’s found himself in a team as strong at Trident which is ultimately why I have him to finish P13.
P12: Noel Leon
Noel Leon is looking to build off his good Junior Formula Career (up to this point) in 2024. The 19-year-old Mexican racing driver is driving for Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2019-20 NACAM Formula 4 Championship, the 2021 Formula 4 United States Championship, the 2022 NASCAR Challenge Series (Mexico), and the 2023 Euroformula Open Championship. Noel has definitely had a good Junior Career up to this point and I expect him to have another positive year.
P11: Oliver Goethe
Oliver Goethe is back for a second year in Formula 3. The 19-year-old Danish-German racing driver is driving for Campos Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2022 Euroformula Open Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Goethe has driven in 1-and-a-bit seasons and his highest Championship finish was 8th (last year). I think Ollie Goethe seems like a decent driver, but the fact that he’s “downgraded” in teams means he’s ultimately had to drop in my Predictions.
P10: Martinius Stenshorne
Martinius Stenshorne steps up to Formula 3 after a positive year in FRECA. The 18-year-old Norwegian racing driver is driving for Hitech Pulse-Eight in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was second in last year’s Formula Regional European Championship. I think Martinius Stenshorne will have a decent first year, but I don’t think he’ll be Hitech’s best driver.
P9: Leonardo Fornaroli
Leonardo Fornaroli is hoping to have a better second season in FIA Formula 3. The 19-year-old Italian racing driver is driving for Trident in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was P5 in the 2021 Italian F4 Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Fornaroli scored 3 Podiums in his Rookie year as he went on to finish 11th in the Standings. I expect Leonardo to do better this year and I also think he’ll be Trident’s lead driver. However, I still don’t think Fornaroli’s going to be anywhere near the Title.
P8: Christian Mansell
Christian Mansell is looking to build on a positive first F3 campaign. The 19-year-old Australian racing driver is driving for ART Grand Prix in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was third in both the 2021 GB3 and 2022 Euroformula Open Championships. When it comes to Formula 3, Mansell scored 2 Podiums in his Rookie Season as he went on to finish 12th in the Championship with Campos. I definitely think Christian Mansell will be ART’s main man in 2024!
P7: Kacper Sztuka
Kacper Sztuka enters 2024 off the back of a Championship-winning 2023. The 18-year-old Polish racing driver is driving for MP Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won both the 2023 Formula Winter Series and Italian F4 Championship. It’s worth mentioning that Sztuka is a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. There’s no doubt that Kacper enters 2024 with a lot of confidence under his belt. However, I do think Sztuka will finish last out of the three MP Motorsport drivers.
P6: Arvid Lindblad
At just 16 (years of age), Arvid Lindblad steps up to FIA Formula 3! The 16-year-old British racing driver is driving for Prema Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was third in last year’s Italian F4 Championship. It’s worth mentioning that Lindblad is currently a member of the Red Bull Junior Programme. Despite being just 16 years old, Arvid Lindblad clearly looks like a decent talent and I expect him to have a decent first year in F3, even though I can’t see Arvid being close to his teammates.
P5: Luke Browning
Luke Browning, the 2023 Macau Grand Prix Winner, enters 2024 with a point to prove. The 22-year-old British racing driver is driving for Hitech Pulse-Eight in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2020 F4 British and 2022 GB3 Championships. When it comes to Formula 3, Browning could only manage 15th (in the Standings) in his Rookie year. It’s worth mentioning that Luke is still a member of the Williams Driver Academy. Even though Luke Browning wasn’t that impressive last year, his Junior Formula Career up to this point has still been pretty strong and Luke has a tendency to nail his second year in the same category. That’s why I have Browning to finish P5 in the Championship.
P4: Tim Tramnitz
Tim Tramnitz is hoping for a big first year in FIA Formula 3. The 19-year-old German racing driver is driving for MP Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish was second in both the 2021 ADAC Formula 4 and Italian F4 Championships. In fact, Tramnitz was beaten to both of those Titles by a certain Ollie Bearman (a guy most of you would have heard of). It’s worth mentioning that Tim is currently a member of the Red Bull Junior Team. I think Tim Tramnitz has all the tools to win races in Formula 3 this year and will consistently be towards the front for the majority of the season. However, I think he may just lose out in the battle of being MP’s best driver in 2024.
P3: Alex Dunne
Alex Dunne enters Formula 3 already looking to win races. The 18-year-old Irish racing driver is driving for MP Motorsport in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2022 F4 British Championship. There’s no doubt that Alex Dunne has had a brilliant Junior Formula Career up to this point and I expect big things out of him in both 2024 and in the future. However, I just can’t quite see Alex being in a position where he wins the Championship (in his Rookie year anyway).
P2: Dino Beganovic
I think Dino Beganovic will definitely come close to winning the Formula 3 Championship this year. The 20-year-old Swedish-Bosnian racing driver is driving for Prema Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship (ahead of one of his current Prema teammates). When it comes to Formula 3, Beganovic managed 4 Podiums in his Rookie Season as he ultimately went on to finish 6th in the Championship. It’s worth mentioning that Dino is currently a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I like Dino Beganovic, I think he’s got a lot of potential, and he’ll definitely get his first win in Formula 3 this year. However, I think Dino’s just going to miss out on the Title.
P1: Gabriele Mini
For me, Gabriele Mini is the driver that I think will stand tall in Monza as the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Champion. The 18-year-old Italian racing driver is driving for Prema Racing in 2024 and his highest-ever Championship finish came when he won the 2020 Italian F4 Championship. When it comes to Formula 3, Mini managed 2 Wins in his Rookie Season where he ultimately finished 7th in the Championship (with a much weaker team). It’s worth mentioning that Gabriele is currently a member of the Alpine Academy. Whilst it was a tough decision to choose which Prema driver would end the year as the F3 Champion, I think Gabriele Mini has shown more talent and quality over his Junior Formula Career so far, and it’s also worth mentioning that the one full Championship Mini competed in with Prema, he won it!