At the beginning of the year, the FIA announced the launch of the application process for new teams to compete in Formula 1, starting in 2026. Several candidates, Andretti Cadillac and Craig Pollock’s Formula Equal, have already spoken about their plans spoken. As Racingnews365 has discovered, another application has been submitted to the FIA - from the project of Oliver Oakes, whose Hitech team is represented in Formula 2 and Formula 3.
The project is codenamed H26 and is well advanced. As well as meeting the formal requirements for filing with the FIA, the team has already recruited staff and started work in Mercedes’ former wind tunnel at Silverstone, which will allow 50% of the scale models to be blown up.
There are no technical regulations for 2026 yet, so the team will build the chassis according to the current rules. This is done to build all design and production processes in such a way that in 2026, when the relevant regulations are submitted (June 2024), and when the application to participate is approved, you can immediately start making the car.
Sources in the team claim that Mercedes will be the supplier of the power plants. In addition, the H26 could gain the status of Mercedes’ B team, which has been de facto Racing Point/Aston Martin in recent years.
In terms of personnel, leading specialists have already joined H26. Leading the project is Dave Greenwood, a former Ferrari engineer with extensive experience in Formula 1 and endurance racing. The role of technical director went to Mark Smith, who previously worked for Renault, Red Bull Racing and Caterham.
Keith Barkley (Renault/Red Bull Racing) has been invited to take on the role of chief designer, while James Knapton, who has worked in several Formula 1 teams, led the research department.
The project is currently running at the old Hitech base in Silverstone, but the Formula 1 team will be based in the new building in Bicester. Local authorities have reportedly already issued planning permission.
Sources of funding for the project have not been disclosed, but Oliver Oakes is rumored to have secured a UAE oil company as a partner.
Hitech has not yet officially commented on plans to participate in Formula 1.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
