Maltese driver Jacob Micallef is making an "unexpected" GB3 debut with Hitech this weekend, having only started racing single-seaters at the end of last year.
The 16-year-old has been impressive so far in testing, and has quickly got to grips with the GB3 car, which boasts much greater performance compared to the F4 machinery he's used to.
"I'm super excited" he enthused. "I’ve fallen in love with the car and am working great with the team and I really like the track. So I’m really looking forward to the races and qualifying."
Intending to focus solely on his first full year of F4 in 2026, Micallef admits the opportunity to race in GB3 with Hitech was too good to turn down.
"I wasn’t expecting [to make the move to GB3 so quickly]. I was only planning on doing F4 this year but we found this opportunity and it was not something I was expecting.
"I’ve done quite a lot of karting, and then we transitioned to Formula 4 at the beginning of this year. But then we found an opportunity with some connections and we managed to get a seat in GB3, and I was like "oh my god, this is like a dream come true!" I’m very, very grateful for it."
The first driver from Malta to compete in GB3 has already impressed - he was sixth quickest on the first day of the official Snetterton test in June, and has carried that form over to the Hungaroring. He's been inside the top eight in four of the five on track sessions so far, ahead of qualifying tomorrow morning. Despite those obvious signs of promise, he's keeping his expectations in check ahead of his debut weekend.
"To be honest, the progress is really good," he commented. "I’m getting to grips with the car and the team and the track. I wasn’t expecting to be this close, so I’m very happy.
"Mainly the goal for this week is to just learn and adapt with the car, the team, and to understand as much as possible. I’m hoping to be around the mid pack in terms of results, I think that’s quite realistic for me."