FIA FORMULA 3 – FINAL DAY OF TESTING OFFERS FIRST REAL GLIMPSE OF THE COMPETITIVE ORDER
The first 2026 FIA Formula 3 pre-season test concluded today at the Circuit de Barcelona with the third and final day of running. After two opening days marked by extremely small gaps between drivers and teams, Thursday provided one last opportunity for everyone to fine-tune their setups and fully adapt ahead of the championship opener in Melbourne in March.
A Morning Led by Naël
Théophile Naël set the fastest time during the morning session, finishing ahead of Noah Strømsted and Ugo Ugochukwu, all three widely regarded as potential title contenders.
Naël’s performance reinforces the idea that Campos Racing will be in contention at the front this season. The session was also interrupted several times, slightly disrupting long-run programs and qualifying simulations.
In the afternoon, teams shifted their focus toward long runs and race simulations, gathering crucial data on tyre degradation and consistency over extended stints. With Melbourne’s race weekend format in mind, understanding race pace is just as important as outright speed.
Some drivers continued to refine their qualifying performance, including Lacorte, who topped the timesheets on the final day overall.
Testing Summary: Three Days to Prepare for 2026
The three days in Barcelona confirmed one key point: the 2026 season is shaping up to be extremely competitive.
With Freddie Slater leading Day 1, Ugochukwu setting the benchmark on Day 2, and the final day largely devoted to race simulations, it remains impossible to draw firm conclusions ahead of the opening round in Australia.
More than the lap times themselves, the standout feature of the test was the overall competitiveness of the field. The gaps between drivers were consistently minimal, suggesting that qualifying sessions could prove decisive throughout the season.
The next stop is Melbourne, where drivers and teams will push to their limits to establish themselves from the very first round of the year.
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