Written by Sophie Harvey and Sean McKean
Teams have continued to bring on newer names into their roster for 2024, and this week features some big names, including one of the biggest women in the motorsport scene currently. Catch all the news from the past week in our weekly round-up!
Doriane Pin Stays Loyal to PREMA
Having previously joined PREMA Racing for their LMP2 pursuit in the FIA World Endurance Championship last year, Pin has chosen to extend her partnership with the Italian outfit to contend in her inaugural season in F1 Academy.
The 20-year-old Parisian will collate her expertise from both sportscars and as of recently, Formula 4 South East Asia, where she ended the drivers championship in second — a win and three podium finishes to her name.
A thrilled Rene Rosin, Team Principal of PREMA Racing, stated: “We were really impressed by her in our WEC campaign together and we are definitely looking forward to seeing her make even more progress in single-seaters. We think she has outstanding potential.”
Pin’s latest achievements do not stop there — she’s also the newest recruit to join the Mercedes Junior Programme, having impressed none other than Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG F1 Team, Toto Wolff.
“I am incredibly happy to join the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team Junior Programme and to represent the team in F1 Academy this year,” said Pin.
“I am grateful for their trust and honoured to race for their colours. Moving into single-seaters was a clear objective for my career, and to be in this environment is a great approach. I am working very hard to reach the top level of this sport and I cannot wait to go racing.”
Chloe Chambers Joins Campos Racing
Acting as Haas F1 Team’s nomination, Chloe Chambers is the second of Campos Racing’s three drivers to have been announced. Partnering Carrie Schreiner, Chambers will no doubt aim to clinch this year’s title to sit alongside her previous accolades.
Having partnered Jamie Chadwick in the now defunct W Series, Chambers also has experience in the Formula 4 United States Championship, Porsche Sprint Challenge and most recognisably, the Formula Regional Oceania Championship. Here, she became the first female polesitter and the first female race winner, earning herself the title of ‘Most Improved Driver’ in the process.
The delighted 19-year-old expressed her enthusiasm, stating: “I’m super excited to be driving for MoneyGram Haas F1 Team with Campos Racing in F1 Academy. Having the backing of Haas is going to open many doors for new experiences and it’s going to be a place where I can learn.”
Ayao Komatsu, newly appointed Team Principal of MoneyGram Haas F1 Team has used Chambers’ announcement as an opportunity to empathise with F1 Academy’s mission, adding:
“As a father to two karting enthusiasts myself, I know the importance of representation in encouraging the next generation to take that leap and follow their dreams. It was great to meet Chloe and see her enthusiasm for the season ahead, and the team thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her at the factory – from speaking with our engineers, participating in pit stop practice and undertaking her first media obligations.”
“MoneyGram Haas F1 Team fully supports Formula 1 and F1 Academy in its objectives, and we’re committed to increasing the talent pool of young girls and women entering the sport, utilising our resources.”
Joseph Loake joins FIA F3 with Rodin
Following a breakout year in his rookie GB3 campaign in 2023, Britain’s Joseph Loake will make the step up to FIA Formula 3, becoming the first driver to be confirmed by Rodin Motorsport for 2024.
In the aforementioned 2023 GB3 season, the 18-year-old finished his debut F3-level season third in the overall standings, finishing with three wins and coming up just short of champion Callum Voisin and second-placed Alex Dunne. Now, he will be teamed up with the former.
“I’m so pleased to be moving to the FIA F3 Championship for the upcoming season,” Loake stated following the signing. “To have been given the incredible opportunity to race in such a fantastic championship with Rodin Motorsport is something I could have only dreamed of a few months ago, so I cannot wait to get cracking and make the most of it.”
Sam Waple, Rodin Motorsport F3 team principal, revealed what Loake showed to him in his rookie GB3 campaign.
“Joseph is a driver who has already done great things in his short career,” said Waple. “He’s adapted well to every car he’s ever driven and I’m really looking forward to seeing what he can do behind the wheel of the F3 car.
"While it’s going to, no doubt, be a big challenge for him I have confidence that he will work well with the team and put everything into the upcoming year. I can’t wait to start working together.”
Max Esterson joins Jenzer
After select FIA F3 starts in 2023, Max Esterson will make the full-time step-up to F3 with Jenzer Motorsport.
The American spent 2023 in GB3 machinery — likewise to Loake — finishing 11th in the standings for his sophomore season in the championship. The 21-year-old also took part in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, but it only amounted to a 20th-placed finish.
On his full-time promotion to F3, Esterson said: “It’s a big step up for me with more power, more downforce, and a heavier car, but I feel like I’ve gelled well with Jenzer’s family environment in the post-season tests last year and at the Macau Grand Prix in November.
"I’m grateful to Andreas and everyone at the team for the opportunity and to all my supporters like iRacing who have stepped up and helped me make this move. We’re working hard to be well prepared for Bahrain in February and I’m excited to get going!”
Team Principal Andreas Jenzer showed great optimism for the season ahead. “American racing driver Max Esterson will take on the challenge of competing as a rookie in the FIA F3 Championship with Jenzer Motorsport this season, after completing the official post-season 2023 test days with our team as well as the prestigious Macau World Cup.”
“With Max competing with the American flag and sponsors, we will work to bring the next American driver into the FIA F1 paddock!”
Tim Tramnitz graduates from FRECA
MP Motorsport have finally confirmed their first driver for the 2024 grid, with Tim Tramnitz joining the squad from FRECA.
The German spent 2023 in Formula Regional machinery, taking part in the Middle East and European championships. Though little success came from his short time in the Middle East, Tramnitz broke out in his sophomore European campaign, finishing third in the standings just short of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Martinius Stenshorne. He also joined the Red Bull Junior squad for this upcoming season.
Tramnitz didn’t hide his excitement of the signing:
“It’s wonderful to be able to step up to FIA Formula 3 with a team such as MP Motorsport. They have won in every single-seater category that they have competed in, and I’m confident that their experience will contribute to being on the pace in FIA F3 straight out of the blocks. It was a joy to test the car at those three tracks, and I worked well with the team. So now let’s translate that to the races – I can’t wait to get started!”
Sander Dorsman, MP Motorsport’s team principal, shared a similar level of excitement.
“We are truly happy to see Tim become a new member of our FIA Formula 3 driver line-up. He has been a force to be reckoned with all through his time in FRECA, so he is more than ready for his step up to the next level. The tests showed that he’s up there among the more experienced drivers, I’m sure that Tim will do the Red Bull name proud in 2024.”