Prema didn't waste any time finding a replacement for Louis Sharp. The Italian squad has announced Alex Powell as its new Formula 3 driver for the remainder of the 2026 season, following Sharp's departure due to financial reasons.
Sharp announced his withdrawal on social media, admitting that continuing for the remaining rounds was "no longer financially viable." After moving from Rodin Motorsport to Prema for his sophomore season, the New Zealander has struggled for performance. He sits 17th in the standings after the Hungaroring round, with a best finish of fourth in the Silverstone feature race.
"I'd like to thank Stephen [Mitas], Swampy, and everyone at Prema for the season we've had together. It's been a challenging year results-wise, and with championship contention no longer realistic, it makes sense to focus on securing the right options for 2027," Sharp said. He also emphasized that the decision to part ways was mutual.
Powell Returns to the Prema Fold
Prema quickly named Alex Powell, a former AMG-Mercedes F1 junior, as Sharp's replacement for the rest of the season. Powell previously won the Italian Formula 4 rookie title with Prema in 2024, before moving to R-ace GP for a disappointing F4 season in 2025. After a strong winter in the UAE where he finished runner-up, the team couldn't replicate that pace in Europe, leaving Powell ninth in the standings despite a double win at Mugello.
After leaving the AMG-Mercedes programme, Powell switched to Eurocup-3 for 2026 with Campos, where he has taken two podiums to date, though the team has been outpaced by rivals Palou Motorsport and MP Motorsport. Team Principal Mitas expressed delight at welcoming Powell back. "He's a driver we know well and has already shown us what he can do in F4. His pace, racecraft, and attitude make him a strong fit for the rest of the season," Mitas said.
Powell himself is thrilled to return to the team that gave him his first single-seater opportunity. "Coming back to Prema means a lot. This is a great chance to show what I can do in F3," he said. With Powell's return, Prema hopes to improve its performance in the remaining rounds of 2026.
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