FIA FORMULA 3 2026: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROUND ONE

The 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship season gets underway this weekend in Melbourne, on the spectacular Albert Park circuit. As is often the case for the opening round, there are plenty of question marks heading into the first race weekend.

Freddie Slater, the Clear Favourite?

As the season begins, one name keeps coming up: Freddie Slater. The young Audi Academy driver impressed during pre-season testing, showing strong pace in all conditions. He appears to have all the ingredients needed to fight for the title this year, and potentially secure a move to Formula 2 in 2027.

His status as favourite is not just media hype. His winter testing pace, combined with an already impressive career so far, confirms that he will be one to watch from the very first round in Melbourne.

While British driver Freddie Slater may look like the benchmark ahead of the season opener, the overall hierarchy remains unclear. Pre-season testing highlighted one key factor: the gaps are extremely small.

Under these circumstances, establishing a clear order is nearly impossible, even if a few drivers managed to stand out.

First stop is at Melbourne. The Albert Park circuit, with its long straights and demanding braking zones, provides an interesting test to start the season. Qualifying is often decisive there, especially when the margins between drivers are so tight.

In a championship where every point matters and consistency often makes the difference, starting the season strongly is crucial.

The grid

The 2026 season is shaping up to be particularly competitive. Between well-established young prospects and highly anticipated rookies, the grid showcases an impressive level of talent. Several teams appear capable of fighting for the title, and the hierarchy remains difficult to predict ahead of the opening race weekends.

Campos Racing

The Spanish team, a key player in the junior single-seater ladder, is relying in 2026 on a mix of experience and youth. The objective is clear: fight for the title with three drivers capable of regularly running at the front.

Théophile Naël continues his progression after confirming his potential in 2025. The Frenchman now aims to take the next step and establish himself in the fight for victories. P8 in last year’s championship with three podiums, he must improve his consistency to aim higher.

Ernesto Rivera approaches the season as a rookie in a highly competitive environment. P4 in EuroCup-3 in 2025 and backed by Red Bull, he will have the opportunity to learn quickly alongside his teammates in 2026 and gradually move closer to the top of the standings.

Ugo Ugochukwu is one of the most anticipated drivers this season. After finishing 16th in F3 in 2025, the American wants to bounce back and confirm his status as a highly talented driver. The objective is clear: fight for the title.

Trident

Regularly fighting at the front, the Italian team has major ambitions for 2026. The Teams’ Championship is clearly in their sights with a very strong trio.

Noah Strømsted begins his second season as the internal benchmark. P6 in the 2025 championship with one win and two podiums, the Dane will have to embrace his role as a returning driver and target a top-five finish.

Matteo De Palo continues his rise. Vice-champion in FRECA in 2025 and now a member of the McLaren Academy, he reunites with his 2025 rival Freddie Slater within the same team. Their duel could shape the season.

Freddie Slater arrives with the tag of outright favorite. 2025 FRECA champion and new Audi driver, the Brit is considered one of the biggest talents of his generation. The pressure will be high, but his potential is undeniable, and he is expected to prove it.

MP Motorsport

Always competitive, the Dutch outfit is targeting the Teams’ title in 2026 with a balanced and ambitious line-up.

Alessandro Giusti starts a new season aiming to establish himself consistently inside the top five. P10 in 2025 with two podiums, the Frenchman will now target podium finishes more regularly.

Mattia Colnaghi arrives as the 2025 EuroCup-3 champion. Backed by Red Bull, he will aim to demonstrate his winning potential and quickly establish himself against strong teammates.

Tuukka Taponen, supported by Ferrari, will look to take a step forward after claiming three podiums in 2025. The Finn has the pace to fight at the front, provided he improves his consistency.

Van Amersfoort Racing

After finishing fifth in the Teams’ standings in 2025, VAR wants to confirm its progress. With two rookies and one returning driver, the season could be inconsistent but promising.

Hiyu Yamakoshi, P9 in FRECA in 2025, arrives with the ambition of regularly finishing inside the top ten.

Enzo Deligny continues his rise after a very strong 2025 season, finishing third in FRECA. Capable of standout performances, the Frenchman could surprise in his first full F3 season with VAR.

Bruno del Pino, the only returning driver of the trio, must turn his experience into more tangible results after finishing P23 in 2025.

AIX Racing

Brad Benavides will bring experience to the team after finishing P20 in 2025. His objective will be to provide stability and fight for points.

Yevan David, EuroFormula Open vice-champion with six wins, continues his single-seater development with high ambitions and could be a surprise contender.

Fernando Barrichello, seventh in EuroFormula Open in 2025, will aim to take the next step and establish himself ahead of his teammates.

Rodin Motorsport

Sixth in the 2025 Teams’ Championship, Rodin wants to confirm its upward trajectory with a promising trio.

Brando Badoer, after a difficult 2025 season with PREMA, approaches the year determined to bounce back and move closer to the front, this time without McLaren backing.

Christian Ho continues his development after finishing 22nd in his first season. The goal will be to break into the top ten more consistently.

Pedro Clerot comes off a very strong 2025 FRECA campaign (P4). The Brazilian could quickly become the team leader and one of the revelations of the Formula 3 season.

Hitech

After a complicated 2025 season, the British team begins a new cycle.

Jin Nakamura, tenth in FRECA with one podium in 2025, must improve his consistency to take the next step.

Michael Shin, third in EuroFormula Open with four wins, will aim to score points on several occasions.

Fionn McLaughlin, a Red Bull Academy member, is one of the young talents to watch following his British F4 title and third place in the Formula Winter Series last season.

PREMA Racing

Long regarded as the absolute benchmark in junior single-seaters, PREMA enters a transitional season after several major departures over the winter.

James Wharton begins his second F3 campaign after a mixed 2025 season that included just one Sprint Race victory in Austria.

Louis Sharp will look to bounce back after a difficult 2025 season that ended with a 26th-place finish with his previous team.

José Garfias replaces Enzo Deligny and arrives after finishing fourth in EuroFormula Open in 2025. He will need to adapt quickly and find his rhythm within the team.

ART Grand Prix

The French team, a reference in the junior categories, is targeting the top of the standings with a well-balanced trio.

Maciej Gładysz comes off an encouraging 2025 season, having won the EuroCup-3 Winter Championship and finished 10th in the main championship. 2026 must confirm his potential.

Kanato Le, after a difficult FRECA season against very strong teammates, will have the opportunity to relaunch his career in a competitive environment.

Taito Kato, seventh in FRECA in 2025 and backed by Honda, could quickly establish himself at the front. The Japanese driver is regarded as having immense talent.

DAMS

DAMS could face a more challenging season with a relatively inexperienced trio.

Nandhavud Bhirombhakdi (P16 in FRECA 2025) continues his development. The Thai had some opportunities of a top 5 finish with Trident in the Formula Regional championship last year.

Nicola Lacorte, a member of the Alpine Academy, wants to improve after finishing 33rd in 2025, a season notably impacted by a missed weekend in Austria due to a penalty.

Gerrard Xie, 19th in the 2025 championship, will need to take a step forward in his second season.

With historic teams, ambitious outfits and a new generation of talent, the 2026 season looks particularly open. Several favorites stand out, but the hierarchy remains unclear before the opening rounds.

One thing is certain: the battle for the title could be one of the closest in recent years.