Formula 3 driver Louis Sharp: If Kimi Antonelli can do it, I think I can as well
Non-F1 NewsSaturday, 06 June 2026 at 07:30
Kimi Antonelli's rise to the top of Formula 1 has inspired many of the young drivers coming through the junior ranks. One of them is Louis Sharp, the ambitious New Zealander who believes he has the talent to follow a similar path if the right opportunities come his way.
Sharp has built an impressive junior career. After winning multiple karting titles in New Zealand, he moved into single-seaters in 2020 and progressed steadily through the ranks. British F4 champion in 2023 and GB3 champion in 2024, he arrived in Formula 3 with Rodin Motorsport carrying high expectations.
The 18-year-old is now in his second Formula 3 campaign. An injury sustained during the opening round in Melbourne delayed his momentum, but heading to Monaco he remains convinced he belongs among the next generation of Formula 1 hopefuls.
Speaking about Antonelli's success, Sharp said: “If he does it, I think I can as well. He was always one year ahead of me. I’ve never raced directly against him, but I've raced against a lot of people who have raced against him as well.”
“I think this generation of drivers coming through is probably the greatest that there's ever been. I think the level of talent nowadays in F2 and F3 and obviously the rookies in F1, is amazing.”
Sharp backs himself against the best
Sharp has crossed paths with several highly rated young drivers during tests and development programmes. Those experiences have only strengthened his confidence that he possesses Formula 1 calibre ability.
“I've been up against a couple guys, I've been up against [Arvid] Lindblad, I've been up against [Ollie] Bearman, not necessarily in championships but in testing and other stuff,” he revealed. "I did a test with Bearman maybe a year and a half ago, just after he got his debut in the Ferrari. I was quicker than him at the time.”
“So, I think I definitely know I've got what it takes, I definitely know I'm good enough. Obviously things need to align, I need to get a few opportunities to make that happen, but I definitely know that I've got what it takes.”
“If I keep working hard, keep my head down and get the results, I think there's no reason why I can't make it.”
The challenge for Sharp is not only performance on track. Unlike many of his rivals, he does not come from substantial family wealth and relies almost entirely on sponsors and investors to continue racing.
Sharp revealed that his financial model is unique within the Formula 3 paddock, where many drivers rely heavily on family backing to secure seats: “Pretty much everyone else on the F3 grid is funding it through family money, family wealth, with maybe a few sponsors."
The costs involved remain eye watering
Sharp continued: “I am the only driver on the grid I think who's fully funded through sponsorship and fundraising, which makes it very difficult. But it's all part of it. I raise the money through sponsorship, through investors, in any way I can. As a family we can't really put anything into it. So all the money's raised through other people helping out.”
Sharp estimates a Formula 3 campaign can cost anywhere from €1.5 million to €3 million depending on the team and competitiveness of the seat: “It really depends on which team you're driving for. I'd say the going rate is about €1.5m for the season. But people will be paying up to €2.5m to €3m for the top seats. So, it's not cheap by any means.”
Sharp knows that strong performances this season could open the door to Formula 2 in 2027. While championship position matters, he believes standout results are more important than chasing a specific number in the standings.
“I think putting a number on it is probably not the aim. I think the aim is to have standout results,” he explained. “I want to be fighting for race wins, so fighting for pole positions, for podiums and doing standout things.
“The actual championship position, obviously I want to be up the front, maybe top three, top five; but I think the most important thing is to showcase the talent that I've got to secure an F2 seat for next year.”
That promotion would require another major financial commitment. He said: “The going rate in F2 is €2.5million. That's probably the average price. So, to move up will cost another €1m.”
“That money goes directly to the team but obviously that's just the fee to race. Travel costs and living expenses are not covered and that's an additional fee that you have to raise too.”
Bringing supporters all the way to Formula 1
Sharp says the people backing his career are more than sponsors: “At this stage in my career, I don't necessarily have a dream sponsor. I will take anything I can get. I'm happy to represent any brands, and I just need it to happen somehow and however that is or with whoever's help that doesn't really matter to me. I just need it to happen!
“But at the same time, the people that do choose to invest or do choose to sponsor me, it's really about bringing them on the journey with me. They are on this journey. It's about bringing them with me and taking them to the top, to Formula 1 with me.”
One of Sharp's proudest achievements remains winning consecutive British junior single-seater titles, something not achieved since Ayrton Senna's rise through the ranks: “I made the step up to British F3, the GB3 championship as it’s called.
“It was pretty special. The last person to win back-to-back British junior single seater since me, was Ayrton Senna!” So, 2024 was another very good year.”
Sharp heads to Monaco encouraged by recent testing form after recovering from the injuries sustained in Melbourne: “Yeah, testing went really well. I was P2 overall for the test, so that was positive.
"Our first round was in Melbourne earlier this year. I had unfortunately had an incident in the first race of the year whilst doing pretty well and I crashed and unfortunately I broke three vertebrae in my back.”
“But I'm all recovered now and it’s all fine. Our second round was supposed to be in Bahrain, which was obviously cancelled, which worked out really well for me because I wouldn't have been able to do it. So, I've had time now to recover, so our next round is Monaco," added Sharp.
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