Photo: Jakob Ebrey Photography
PHM Racing by Charouz has announced Michael Shin will pilot its #31 car for the remainder of the FIA Formula 3 season.
Shin succeeds McKenzy Cresswell, who joined PHM on a two-round deal and replaced Piotr Wisnicki who contested the first four rounds. Wisnicki’s best result was 18th, and Cresswell finished 17th on his second start. He now returns to his primary programme in GB3 where he races for Elite Motorsport, and Shin will be stepping up to F3 from that series.
The 18-year-old South Korean made his debut in slicks-and-wings single-seaters last year, contesting the Formula 4 United Arab Emirates championship with JHR Developments and with his best result being a 13th place.
He then joined Virtuosi Racing in British F4, netting a fastest lap on his second start and a reversed-grid win in his fifth race. Another reversed-grid podium and a best finish of fifth in a ‘regular’ race helped him come 11th in the standings.
At the end of 2022 he represented his country in the Hitech GP-run Motorsport Games F4 Cup and came sixth in the qualification race but then was lapped in the main race after pitting with a damaged car.
Shin started 2023 by stepping up to Formula Regional Middle East with Prema and claimed one podium en route to 14th in the standings. After that he reunited with Hitech in GB3 and at the halfway point of the season sits 13th in the standings with two top-five results.
“I’m excited to be racing with PHM Racing for the final three rounds of FIA F3,” said Shin. “It will be a valuable experience for me to learn the European tracks and get mileage in this car. I would like to thank Roland [Rehfeld, PHM’s F3 team manager] and the team for giving me this opportunity, and I will try my best to make the most out of the weekends.”
Roland Rehfeld added: “We welcome Michael within our PHM Racing by Charouz team for the last three rounds in this year’s FIA F3 Championship. Knowing Michael since the F4 UAE season in 2022, it will be interesting how quick he will adapt to the F3 car and the whole environment within the team and paddock in general.
“Entering the championship after mid-season is never easy, especially without any seat time in a FIA F3 or GP3 car before.”
“McKenzy did a great job the last two rounds with us and showed that GB3 is a good platform to prepare drivers for the next step into FIA F3. Michael did well so far here in 2023, so give him some time in Budapest without any pressure before we come to Spa-Francorchamps and Monza, where drivers have to intensify their commitment with the car anyhow.
“Thanks again also to McKenzy, who definitely showed promising potential and proved himself that he belongs in FIA F3.”
The next FIA F3 round is at the Hungaroring this weekend, with the trip to Spa the week after and then a month-long break before the Monza season finale.