Wharton moves back to Prema

By Thomas Miles

Date posted: 15 October 2025

Australia’s James Wharton will carry on racing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2026 after reuniting with Prema.

Wharton makes the move from ART to Prema as he aims to become a leading force in his sophomore season.

The boy from Bundoora finished his rookie campaign in 18th, but turned heads with a Sprint victory at Spielberg.

Wharton has a history with Prema, spending the first three years of his single-seater career there with wins in the Italian, Euro and ADAC Formula 4 Championships, plus Formula Regional European.

Those drivers came during his time with the Ferrari Driver Academy before Wharton forged his own path to F3.

But now the 19-year-old feels the time is right to return to the Italian outfit.

“Super excited to be back at my second home for the 2026 season,” said Wharton.

“Going into testing is about getting comfortable with the car and back with the team, and to make full preparations to enter 2026 on the right foot and be able to start strong at home in Melbourne.

“I missed PREMA a lot. The family I have there is amazing, and everyone in the team is just exceptional people.”

Wharton has already driven for Prema in 2025, taking part in a post-season test at Jerez.

In the opening day he finished 19th and 14th, while on the second day he was seventh and 20th.

PREMA Racing Team Principal Rene Rosin is looking forward to welcoming back Wharton.

“We are extremely happy to welcome James back to PREMA,” he said.

“We really enjoyed working with him since his very first steps in motorsport.

“We are proud of his journey, and we truly believe in his potential.

“To have him on board for 2026 makes great sense, and we are looking forward to seeing what the season has in store for us.”

The 2026 F3 season will begin on Australian soil at Albert Park.

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