F3: James Wharton returns to Prema Racing

      Australian James Wharton returns to Prema Racing and will contest his second season in Formula 3 with the Italian team in 2026. Last season the 19-year-old driver raced with ART, but in 2024 he finished runner-up in the Formula Regional European Championship with Prema, and a year earlier he won the Formula 4 UAE title (in the United Arab Emirates).

      At recent preseason tests in Jerez Wharton already piloted a Prema car.

      René Rosin, team principal: "We are very happy that James is returning to Prema. We worked very well with him when he took his very first steps in motorsport, we are proud of the journey we've made together, and we believe in his potential."

      James Wharton: "Next season I return to the team I consider my second home. In testing I needed to find comfortable feelings behind the wheel and to reconnect with the team in order to prepare properly for 2026 and to have a strong home race in Melbourne, which will start the season."