The Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 seasons kick off with the 2025 Australian Grand Prix. The hometown hero, James Wharton, is set for an exhilarating start to his career.
Embarking on his rookie season in FIA F3 with ART Grand Prix, Wharton couldn’t have asked for a more exhilarating start. The young Australian driver is eager to hit the track. Admitting that opening the season in front of a home crowd comes with added pressure.
“Since the home race is quite tough being the first one, I would have liked Bahrain to start, just to have a little bit less pressure.”
“But I’m super excited to start there. It’s something I’ve dreamed of for a long time. I’ve been to the Grand Prix for years and never thought I’d be on the grid so soon. Going into a home GP will be even tougher, but I can’t wait to get started.”
Despite being labelled as a ‘rookie’, Wharton is using this year to make an immediate impact. Not entertaining the idea of having a learning year in the category.
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“For me, it’s not really a learning year or a rookie season. I’ve come to F3 because I feel prepared to fight at the front,” he explained. “My biggest goal is to put together a solid, consistent season. Hopefully be fighting at the front by the end.”
Wharton’s “confidence boost” coming into 2025
The Australian’s confidence comes from his impressive performances in junior categories. Finishing second in the 2024 season of the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). Additionally, Wharton was able to gain valuable F3 experience with Hitech. Participating in two stand-alone races throughout the 2024 campaign.
Wharton had a successful 2023 as well, finishing runners-up in the Euro 4 championship. As well as being a race winner in the competitive Italian F4. Wharton believes that his development as a driver came as a result of the past series’ competitiveness.
“Last year, my season started off tough. But after the summer break, I had the best six months I’ve had in Formula Racing. I outscored my rivals in the last four rounds, which was a massive confidence boost heading into 2025.”
Coming into 2025, Wharton’s confidence boost will be doubled with his impressive resume. After multiple karting titles, he moved to single-seaters in 2022, consistently finishing in the top five across various F4 championships. In 2023, he secured his first title in the UAE F4 Championship and went on to establish himself as a top contender in Europe.
The 2025 Australian Grand Prix marks the beginning of a new era for the young driver. He is aiming to make the most of his first full F3 campaign, whether that is fighting for points. Or mounting a championship challenge in 2025, his home stage will set the scene for his 2025 campaign.
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Feature Image credit: 2024 Dutch Photo Agency