James Anthony Wharton (born 8 July 2006) is an Australian racing driver who is set to compete in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship for ART Grand Prix.
| James Wharton | |
|---|---|
 Wharton in 2024 | |
| Nationality |  Australian |
| Born | 8 July 2006 Bundoora, Victoria, Australia |
| Formula Regional European Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2024 |
| Current team | Prema Racing |
| Car number | 13 |
| Starts | 19 (20 entries) |
| Wins | 4 |
| Podiums | 10 |
| Poles | 5 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| Best finish | 2nd in 2024 |
| Previous series | |
| 2024 2024 2023 2022–2023 2022 2022–2023 | GB3 Championship FR Middle East Championship Euro 4 Championship Italian F4 Championship ADAC Formula 4 Formula 4 UAE Championship |
| Championship titles | |
| 2023 | Formula 4 UAE Championship |
Wharton was the runner-up for the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship, driving for Prema Racing. He was a race winner in Italian F4, finishing fourth in 2023. He was a member of the Ferrari Driver Academy between 2021 and 2023.
Career
editKarting
editBorn in Bundoora in 2006, Wharton began karting at the age of eight in his homeland of Australia. Following two years in Mini and Cadet karting he won eight out of ten races in his 2017 season, winning the Australian Championship in the process. Following that, he and his father moved to Europe to progress his career, where he spent four years contracted to Parolin, competing in various continental championships.[1]
Formula 4
edit2022
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Starting his single-seater at the beginning of 2022, Wharton would compete in the Formula 4 UAE Championship with Abu Dhabi Racing, a team operated by Prema Racing.[2] The Australian dominated the first Dubai event, scoring three victories, and won the season-ending race at Yas Marina, taking home fifth in the standings.[3]
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He remained with Prema for the European racing season, driving in the Italian F4 and ADAC F4 championships.[4] Just like during the winter, Wharton ended up fifth in both series, having obtained his only victory at the Nürburgring.[citation needed]
2023
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Wharton once again partook in F4 UAE at the beginning of 2023, being part of the Mumbai Falcons.[5] After a consistent campaign, which included four wins and a total of eleven podiums across 15 races, the Australian clinched the title as a result of a last-round collision with title rival and teammate Tuukka Taponen.[6][7]
His European campaign with Prema in the Italian F4 Championship proved to be more challenging, as Wharton would end the year fourth in the standings despite a pair of wins at Spa-Francorchamps.[8][9] He also ended up finishing second in the three-round Euro 4 Championship with two wins and three further podiums, missing out on the title to teammate Ugo Ugochukwu.[10]
Formula Regional
editIn the 2024 pre-season, Wharton partook in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship with Mumbai Falcons.[11]
For his main campaign, Wharton moved up to the Formula Regional European Championship, once again driving for Prema Racing, alongside former Italian F4 rivals Rafael Câmara and Ugo Ugochukwu.[12]
Wharton participated in the 2024 Macau Grand Prix with ART Grand Prix.[13] On lap 1 of the main race, Wharton crashed into the barriers at Lisboa, which caused a pileup that took him and several others out of the race.[14]
GB3 Championship
editWharton was signed by Fortec Motorsports to participate in the two Silverstone rounds of the 2024 GB3 Championship.[15]
FIA Formula 3 Championship
edit2024
editAfter Martinius Stenshorne was banned from the Silverstone round, Wharton was drafted by Hitech Pulse-Eight to make a one-off appearance there in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship.[16]
2025
editIn October 2024, ART Grand Prix announced that Wharton will be racing for them in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship, alongside Laurens van Hoepen and former Ferrari Driver Academy member Tuukka Taponen.[17]
Formula One
editAt the end of 2020 Wharton was chosen by Motorsport Australia to be one of its representatives for the FDA 2020 Scouting World Finals. He ended up winning the shootout, therefore gaining a place in the Ferrari Driver Academy.[18]
In December 2023, it was announced that Wharton would be leaving the FDA going into the 2024 season.[19]
Karting record
editKarting career summary
edit| Season | Series | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | SKUSA SuperNationals — TaG Cadet | 43rd | |
| 2016 | Australian Kart Championship — Cadet 12 | 4th | |
| SKUSA SuperNationals — Mini Swift | Kartsport North America | 26th | |
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Mini MAX | International Karting Distribution | 15th | |
| 2017 | Australian Kart Championship — Cadet 12 | 1st | |
| ROK Cup International Final — Mini ROK | Parolin Racing Team | 7th | |
| SKUSA SuperNationals — Mini Swift | KartSport North America | 14th | |
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals — Mini MAX | Int Karting Distributors | 3rd | |
| 2018 | South Garda Winter Cup — OKJ | Parolin Racing Kart | 32nd |
| Victorian Kart Championship — KA3 Junior | 2nd | ||
| Rotax Max Challenge Euro Trophy — Junior | 2nd | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship — OKJ | Parolin Racing Kart | NC | |
| CIK-FIA World Championship — OKJ | 13th | ||
| WSK Final Cup — OKJ | 7th | ||
| SKUSA SuperNationals — KA100 Junior | KartSport North America | 1st | |
| SKUSA SuperNationals — X30 Junior | 18th | ||
| 2019 | WSK Champions Cup — OKJ | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 5th |
| South Garda Winter Cup — OKJ | 2nd | ||
| WSK Super Master Series — OKJ | 9th | ||
| WSK Euro Series — OKJ | 9th | ||
| IAME Euro Series — X30 Junior | Piers Sexton Racing | 49th | |
| Italian Championship — OKJ | 4th | ||
| Coupe de France — OKJ | 11th | ||
| German Karting Championship — Junior | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | 12th | |
| CIK-FIA European Championship — OKJ | 9th | ||
| CIK-FIA World Championship — OKJ | Parolin Racing Kart | 31st | |
| Trofeo delle Industrie — OKJ | 4th | ||
| IAME International Final — X30 Junior | 13th | ||
| WSK Open Cup — OKJ | 13th | ||
| WSK Final Cup — OKJ | 7th | ||
| SKUSA SuperNationals — KA100 Junior | 3rd | ||
| SKUSA SuperNationals — X30 Junior | 1st | ||
| 2020 | WSK Champions Cup — OK | Parolin Racing Kart | 31st |
| South Garda Winter Cup — OK | 11th | ||
| WSK Super Master Series — OK | 18th | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship — OK | 20th | ||
| WSK Euro Series — OK | 7th | ||
| Champions of the Future — OK | 32nd | ||
| CIK-FIA World Championship — OK | 17th | ||
| 2021 | WSK Champions Cup — OK | Parolin Motorsport | 33rd |
| WSK Super Master Series — KZ2 | 34th | ||
| WSK Super Master Series — OK | 36th | ||
| WSK Euro Series — OK | 25th | ||
| Champions of the Future — OK | 29th | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship — OK | 23rd | ||
| CIK-FIA European Championship — KZ2 | 15th | ||
| CIK-FIA Karting International Super Cup — KZ2 | 5th | ||
| Sources:[20][21] | |||
Complete CIK-FIA Karting European Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Parolin Racing Kart | OKJ | SAR QH |
SAR R |
PFI QH 41 |
PFI R DNQ |
AMP QH |
AMP R |
LEM QH |
LEM R |
NC | 0 |
| 2019 | Ricky Flynn Motorsport | OKJ | ANG QH 2 |
ANG R DNS |
GEN QH 47 |
GEN R DNQ |
KRI QH 14 |
KRI R 9 |
LEM QH 4 |
LEM R 5 |
9th | 34 |
| 2020 | Parolin Racing Kart | OK | ZUE QH 39 |
ZUE R DNQ |
SAR QH 27 |
SAR R 12 |
WAC QH 33 |
WAC R 26 |
20th | 4 | ||
| 2021 | Parolin Motorsport | OK | GEN QH 14 |
GEN R 14 |
AUB QH 38 |
AUB R DNQ |
SAR QH 21 |
SAR R 12 |
ZUE QH 34 |
ZUE R 20 |
23rd | 7 |
| KZ2 | WAC QH 26 |
WAC R 8 |
GEN QH 42 |
GEN R DNQ |
15th | 8 |
Racing record
editRacing career summary
edit| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Formula 4 UAE Championship | Abu Dhabi Racing by Prema | 16 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 168 | 5th |
| Italian F4 Championship | Prema Racing | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 166 | 5th | |
| ADAC Formula 4 Championship | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 146 | 5th | ||
| 2023 | Formula 4 UAE Championship | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | 15 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 11 | 232 | 1st |
| Italian F4 Championship | Prema Racing | 21 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8 | 205.5 | 4th | |
| Euro 4 Championship | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 169 | 2nd | ||
| 2024 | Formula Regional Middle East Championship | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 111 | 6th |
| Formula Regional European Championship | Prema Racing | 19 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 10 | 236 | 2nd | |
| GB3 Championship | Fortec Motorsports | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 25th | |
| FIA Formula 3 Championship | Hitech Pulse-Eight | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33rd | |
| Macau Grand Prix | ART Grand Prix | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A | DNF | |
| 2025 | FIA Formula 3 Championship | ART Grand Prix | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | TBD |
* Season still in progress.
Complete Formula 4 UAE Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Prema Racing | YMC1 1 3 |
YMC1 2 5 |
YMC1 3 24 |
YMC1 4 9 |
DUB1 1 1 |
DUB1 2 1 |
DUB1 3 1 |
DUB1 4 6 |
DUB2 1 |
DUB2 2 |
DUB2 3 |
DUB2 4 |
DUB3 1 8 |
DUB3 2 11 |
DUB3 3 10 |
DUB3 4 4 |
YMC2 1 Ret |
YMC2 2 14 |
YMC2 3 4 |
YMC2 4 1 |
5th | 168 |
| 2023 | Mumbai Falcons | DUB1 1 3 |
DUB1 2 17 |
DUB1 3 4 |
KMT1 1 1 |
KMT1 2 2 |
KMT1 3 13 |
KMT2 1 2 |
KMT2 2 2 |
KMT2 3 1 |
DUB2 1 2 |
DUB2 2 2 |
DUB2 3 3 |
YMC 1 1 |
YMC 2 1 |
YMC 3 Ret |
1st | 232 |
Complete ADAC Formula 4 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Prema Racing | SPA 1 Ret |
SPA 2 3 |
SPA 3 9 |
HOC 1 18 |
HOC 2 6 |
HOC 3 Ret |
ZAN 1 5 |
ZAN 2 4 |
ZAN 3 6 |
NÜR1 1 4 |
NÜR1 2 5 |
NÜR1 3 1 |
LAU 1 |
LAU 2 |
LAU 3 |
NÜR2 1 3 |
NÜR2 2 5 |
NÜR2 3 4 |
5th | 146 |
Complete Italian F4 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Prema Racing | IMO 1 4 |
IMO 2 3 |
IMO 3 9 |
MIS 1 5 |
MIS 2 3 |
MIS 3 29† |
SPA 1 3 |
SPA 2 5 |
SPA 3 Ret |
VLL 1 3 |
VLL 2 7 |
VLL 3 4 |
RBR 1 2 |
RBR 2 6 |
RBR 3 |
RBR 4 4 |
MNZ 1 30† |
MNZ 2 15 |
MNZ 3 C |
MUG 1 Ret |
MUG 2 7 |
MUG 3 5 |
5th | 166 |
| 2023 | Prema Racing | IMO 1 23† |
IMO 2 |
IMO 3 5 |
IMO 4 12 |
MIS 1 3 |
MIS 2 2 |
MIS 3 28 |
SPA 1 1 |
SPA 2 1 |
SPA 3 3 |
MNZ 1 6 |
MNZ 2 5 |
MNZ 3 5 |
LEC 1 3 |
LEC 2 Ret |
LEC 3 2 |
MUG 1 8 |
MUG 2 9 |
MUG 3 3 |
VLL 1 5 |
VLL 2 6 |
VLL 3 4 |
4th | 205.5 |
Complete Euro 4 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Prema Racing | MUG 1 6 |
MUG 2 3 |
MUG 3 1 |
MNZ 1 3 |
MNZ 2 8 |
MNZ 3 Ret |
CAT 1 3 |
CAT 2 1 |
CAT 3 4 |
2nd | 169 |
Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mumbai Falcons Racing Limited | YMC1 1 4 |
YMC1 2 24 |
YMC1 3 7 |
YMC2 1 5 |
YMC2 2 Ret |
YMC2 3 5 |
DUB1 1 28† |
DUB1 2 12 |
DUB1 3 5 |
YMC3 1 5 |
YMC3 2 4 |
YMC3 3 2 |
DUB2 1 6 |
DUB2 2 3 |
DUB2 3 11 |
6th | 111 |
Complete Formula Regional European Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Prema Racing | HOC 1 3 |
HOC 2 Ret |
SPA 1 DNS |
SPA 2 3 |
ZAN 1 13 |
ZAN 2 14 |
HUN 1 6 |
HUN 2 4 |
MUG 1 7 |
MUG 2 1 |
LEC 1 6 |
LEC 2 9 |
IMO 1 3 |
IMO 2 3 |
RBR 1 1 |
RBR 2 5 |
CAT 1 1 |
CAT 2 1 |
MNZ 1 3 |
MNZ 2 3 |
2nd | 236 |
* Season still in progress.
Complete GB3 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Fortec Motorsports | OUL 1 |
OUL 2 |
OUL 3 |
SIL1 1 20 |
SIL1 2 11 |
SIL1 3 C |
SPA 1 |
SPA 2 |
SPA 3 |
HUN 1 |
HUN 2 |
HUN 3 |
ZAN 1 |
ZAN 2 |
ZAN 3 |
SIL2 1 11 |
SIL2 2 15 |
SIL2 3 15 |
DON 1 |
DON 2 |
DON 3 |
BRH 1 |
BRH 2 |
BRH 3 |
25th | 30 |
Complete Macau Grand Prix results
edit| Year | Team | Car | Qualifying | Quali Race | Main race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |  ART Grand Prix
|
Tatuus F3 T-318 | 11th | 7th | DNF |
Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Hitech Pulse-Eight | BHR SPR |
BHR FEA |
MEL SPR |
MEL FEA |
IMO SPR |
IMO FEA |
MON SPR |
MON FEA |
CAT SPR |
CAT FEA |
RBR SPR |
RBR FEA |
SIL SPR 18 |
SIL FEA 21 |
HUN SPR |
HUN FEA |
SPA SPR |
SPA FEA |
MNZ SPR |
MNZ FEA |
33rd | 0 |
| 2025 | ART Grand Prix | BHR SPR |
BHR FEA |
MEL SPR |
MEL FEA |
IMO SPR |
IMO FEA |
MON SPR |
MON FEA |
CAT SPR |
CAT FEA |
RBR SPR |
RBR FEA |
SIL SPR |
SIL FEA |
SPA SPR |
SPA FEA |
HUN SPR |
HUN FEA |
MNZ SPR |
MNZ FEA |
TBD | TBD |
References
edit- ^ Studenkov, Alexander (28 June 2022). "Ferrari prospect James Wharton reflects on his personal growth: 'Last year I had a lot to learn'". F1 Feeder Series. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "PREMA, Abu Dhabi Racing enter 2022 F4 UAE Season". Prema Powerteam. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022.
- ^ Parker, Charlie (30 January 2022). "4 takeaways from F4 UAE Round 2: James Wharton dominates & Tatuus shows great racing". Feeder Series. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "Ferrari Driver Academy underway for 2022". Ferrari. 11 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022.
- ^ "First entries announced for 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship Certified by FIA". F4 UAE Championship Certified by FIA. 29 December 2022.
- ^ "WHARTON: WHAT NEXT FOR FDA GUN?". autoaction.com.au/. 23 February 2023.
- ^ Brabner, George (20 February 2023). "Wharton wins title in dramatic finale: 4 takeaways from F4 UAE Round 5". feederseries.net.
- ^ "Wharton set for second Formula 4 campaign with PREMA". Prema Team. 9 November 2022.
- ^ Spadi, Daniele (21 December 2023). "Ferrari Driver Academy: 2023 driver-by-driver review". Feeder Series. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ "Ugo Ugochukwu is the first Champion of the Euro 4 Championship". KartXpress. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (8 January 2024). "Prema reveals it and Mumbai Falcons' line-ups for FRME and F4 UAE". Formula Scout. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (3 January 2024). "James Wharton steps up to FREC with Prema". Formula Scout. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "James Wharton to compete in the 2024 Macau Grand Prix with ART GP". james-wharton.com. 15 October 2024. Retrieved 16 October 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (17 November 2024). "Ugochukwu takes FRegional World Cup by winning the Macau GP". Formula Scout. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
- ^ Wood, Ida (18 April 2024). "James Wharton joins Fortec for GB3's Silverstone rounds". Formula Scout. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "James Wharton to drive for Hitech Pulse-Eight at Silverstone". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
- ^ "James Wharton confirmed by ART Grand Prix for 2025 season". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ Lee (9 December 2020). "Karting Australia - VICTORIAN JAMES WHARTON WINS FERRARI DRIVER ACADEMY SELECTION". Karting Australia. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
- ^ "A year of laying the groundwork with ambitious goals for 2024". www.ferrari.com. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
- ^ "James Wharton | Racing career profile | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 4 May 2022.
- ^ kartcom (19 October 2016). "Wharton James". Retrieved 6 May 2022.
External links
edit- James Wharton career summary at DriverDB.com