Michael Shin entered 2025 as a familiar presence in the European junior single seater ladder, the South Korean driver whose rise through Formula Regional and Euroformula had been defined by consistency and control. Racing full time in the Euroformula Open Championship with Motopark, he spent the season operating near the sharp end of the field, collecting wins and podiums while quietly reinforcing his reputation as a driver who extracts results without theatrics. Alongside that campaign, a one off return to GB3 at Silverstone added another layer to his year, offering a glimpse of his range and helping frame a season that felt like a bridge toward something bigger.
The standout moments came when circumstance met decision. In Barcelona, Shin made a call that reshaped the race. “Taking a risk on slicks for Race 3 Barcelona, and it payed off giving me the win and largest ever margin of victory in EFO history (1 minute 23 seconds),” he said. The scale of the win was historic, but the choice behind it revealed just as much. Earlier in the season, progress arrived in a more traditional form. “First win at Hockenheim,” he added, a breakthrough that validated his pace on pure merit. Outside Euroformula, his guest appearance in GB3 delivered another marker of adaptability. “Getting a podium during my guest race in GB3,” he said, a succinct summary of a weekend that showed how quickly he could recalibrate in unfamiliar surroundings.
Asked whether he achieved his goals, Shin framed the year as an exercise in control rather than outcome. “I believe I have achieved my goals which were directed at maximizing my own performance and learning,” he said. “There were definetly moments where I wish I could have done something different, but I don’t think I could have anticipated it happening. If anything it turned into a learning experience.” That mindset was tested most clearly at the Hungaroring, a weekend that surprised him with its physical demands. The heat, the relentless rhythm of the circuit, and a four day schedule that included a full test day pushed endurance as much as technique.
Away from competition, Shin found calm in the small routines. “I quite enjoyed the track walks before every event,” he said. “It was not only a means to observe the circuit from another perspective, but also a chance to have meaningful conversation with team members.” The off season offered a different focus. “Personally, I really enjoy working out and going to the gym. I am looking forward to seeing how much I can progress now that I’ll have a few weeks to focus on this.”
With a move to FIA Formula 3 with Hitech TGR lined up for 2026, Shin is clear eyed about what comes next. “I want to outperform my teammates,” he said. “They will be given the same equipment as myself, so they will be good references. Otherwise, the main objective is to maximize everything in my control.” His advice to newcomers is equally precise. “To work on having a good relationship with your engineer. This can boost performance and help push through tough times.”
