Bruno del Pino made the perfect start to his 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship campaign, converting starting from P1 into victory in the Sprint Race at the 2026 Australian GP.
The Van Amersfoort Racing driver made a strong start and quickly built a comfortable advantage before officials red-flagged the race and ultimately ended it early, leaving the Spaniard with half points but full confidence heading into Sunday’s Feature Race.
Speaking during the F3 Post Qualifying press conference, with Pit Debrief in attendance, de Pino reflected on his race, as well as there being no DRS available for the drivers during the race.
Strong start puts del Pino in control
From the moment the lights went out, del Pino executed a clean launch and quickly began building a margin to the drivers behind in the F3 Australian GP Sprint Race. Managing both pace and tyre wear around the demanding Albert Park circuit, he looked comfortable as the race settled into its rhythm.
“Yeah, so the start was pretty clean, no issues there. I managed to create a gap quite quickly compared to the guys in the back and then from there it was quite an easy race towards the safety car, just trying to put on the pace, trying to save tyres as well and then I saw that there was no DRS available.“
“Even so I tried to create the gap to get far away from the DRS even though there was none, so it was also a bit easier for me than the rest of the drivers.“
With the gap established and the race seemingly under control, the Spaniard believed he had the pace to maintain his advantage for the remainder of the Sprint Race.
“But I think before the safety car was all under control, I felt that even though I could have continued like that. It was a pity that the racing at this early, of course, the health of the other drivers are more important. But yeah, it’s a nice way to start the season even though it’s a half of the points. Looking for the momentum towards tomorrow.”
Sprint Race victory marking his first race win in F3
While the F3 Australian GP Sprint Race provided his first race victory of not only the year, but his entire time in the series, del Pino will start the Feature Race further down the order, lining up from P12.
Even so, he remains optimistic about scoring more points.
“Yeah, so P12 is a not the place I wanted to start off even though it made me to be here today. But, of course learning from the pace that we had today I think we look quite capable of to get some good points tomorrow.“
“Obviously the other drivers are going to be also fighting for it so it’s going to be a difficult race tomorrow, but just as I said keeping on the momentum towards tomorrow, trying to improve as best as we can and let’s see how the race goes tomorrow.”
Contact between the PREMA Racing drivers brought out the red flag
With del Pino racing into the distance, having created a 1.3s lead on VAR team mate Enzo Deligny in P2 by Lap 6, drama unfolded down in order with PREMA Racing. James Wharton and Louis Sharp were in a tight battle for a points paying position, but they made contact and went straight into the barriers at Turn 6, bringing out the red flag. With the damage affecting the barriers, race control did not resume the race.
Del Pino admitted he originally wasn’t sure if the F3 Australian GP Sprint Race would be stopped and not be resumed, so he stayed in the car with an attempt to keep focused.
“Yeah for me, going into T5 when I saw the crash I didn’t know for sure it was going to be a red flag. But you can assume it because the crash was really really big and yeah once we stopped the race we’re just waiting.”
Despite the stoppage, the VAR driver remained focused inside the cockpit while the situation was assessed.
“I was sat in the car just focused because of course I knew that there was going to be around 10 laps to go so in case the race will be resumed you have to be on it so I was still in my bubble let’s say.”
Staying focused
Communication with the team continued throughout the red flag before confirmation arrived that the race would not restart.
“Yeah, it was constant communication with my engineer when he said that the race will not be resumed. Then, it was just like in a kind of way it was like happiness, because in a kind of way I win, but at the same time you were like a bit sad because you didn’t get all the points that you wanted that maybe towards the end of the championship that extra five points could have helped a lot.”
Even so, driver safety remained the most important factor.
“But of course the main thing is the driver safety, both I think they’re fine so it’s that’s the most important and then of course the points. If we continue like this will come more so that’s the that’s important thing that also builds a lot of confidence for us tomorrow.”
“During the the time that was stopped I was just thinking if either drivers were good but once I knew that I was just focusing on whether what to do on the outside formation and then in the race how to manage.”
Confidence boost after a difficult rookie season
The F3 Sprint Race victory at the Australian GP marks a strong start to the year for del Pino, particularly after a challenging rookie campaign in 2025.
When asked by Pit Debrief whether this result had boosted his confidence heading into the 2026 season, the Spaniard spoke highly on the gains he’s made with his new team, as well as the benefits of coming away with points.
“Yeah thank you. So for sure for me it’s really important you know starting from in a good situation, you know with the first victory,” he said. “Last year my best result was second and coming from that last year which in a kind of way was a learning experience, but you know I’ve expected more especially knowing that the pace was there in qualifying. I was always on it and we didn’t get the points as possible that we we thought that we were going to achieve [in reference to last years results].”
For both driver and team, the result serves as a valuable early boost heading into the rest of the race weekend.
“So yeah starting off strong it’s really a boost in my confidence and then tomorrow let’s see if we can round it up the weekend. But yeah, as I said, with Van Amersfoort we’ve been working really strong. This is just a little bit of a happiness boost and that the morale will help not only for me but the entire team as well.”
“So just keeping up the momentum and hopefully the next races will be also on our side and then I think I’m really happy with the results so far.”
The switch from MP Motorsport to Van Amersfoort Racing
Del Pino joined Van Amersfoort Racing over the winter after a difficult year with MP Motorsport, a move he believes has helped reset his mindset heading into the new season.
In his 2025 season, his best achievement was a P2 in the Imola Sprint Race. He finished last season in P23, after what was a tough rookie season.
“Yeah for me, last year with MP of course it was I’ve struggled a lot. The team was really good [and] they’re still. I think they’re also one of the great teams in F3 so I’m also gonna I kind of wait for them of course if they’re behind me but yeah once I finished the season I had the chance to come with Van Amersfoort.”
“I think it was a good change also for my mentality because you know I kind of like got in the bubble of negativity in a kind of way.“
“Of course when I came to VAR it was a switch start from zero just hard work and I think they had welcomed me really nicely.”
The environment within the team, he says, has helped him reset mentally and approach the season with renewed confidence.
“And yeah it’s been showing so far, even though it’s only one race and there’s many to go. But I think the work has been doing very good, not only in the during the race weekend, but also outside, in the workshop, online as well, everything. So yeah, it’s just more of a mental side [of] that which I think and so far is working really good.”
“I’m really happy driving wise and personal wise so everything is working fine, so far really happy with it.”
Taking the championship race by race
While an early victory naturally raises questions about championship ambitions, del Pino remains determined to stay grounded as the long season unfolds.
“Yeah it’s a big question. Of course that’s the that’s the goal of the season even though it’s a difficult one and there’s many good teams. There’s Trident, there’s Campos-that they won last year, so of course they’re not, they’re not going to be easy.”
“Starting with a win, is a good start of the season, but yeah I’ll take it race by race. Of course the championship is the goal for every single driver, but yeah for me it’s just taking it race by race, grabbing as much points possible, be consistent.”
“Then in Madrid, which is my home race, we’ll see where we are and then hopefully if we manage to get a title, but if we manage to get really good points and then a really good position in the championship then we’ll just go and celebrate.”
Working with teammate Enzo Deligny
The Sprint Race also delivered a standout result for Van Amersfoort Racing, with del Pino leading teammate Enzo Deligny to a one-two finish — an ideal start for the Dutch outfit.
The pair share a long-standing friendship that dates back to their earlier racing careers.
“Yeah I think of course my first team mate it was going to be Jesse [Carrasquedo]. This was a bit of a of a late news.“
“But yeah, I’ve known Enzo for quite a long, yeah I’ve known Enzo for quite a long time. We’ve been really good friends for a long time.”
The atmosphere in the press conference lightened as del Pino glanced across at his teammate. Del Pino giggled, “because I’m looking at him and he’s having this little smile so I’m laughing at him my apologies. But yeah of course he’s a friend of mine.”
“Inside of the track we want to beat each other. Outside of the track we’re working towards the same goal, which is bringing Van Amersfoort up on top. But yeah, so far the convivence has been really good and trying to keep it on like this.”
“When we knew that we’re gonna start together in one-two we just kind of like knew [we were heading] towards the same goal, which was bringing one and two for Van Amersfoort Racing.”
Focus turns to the Feature Race
Attention now turns to Sunday’s Feature Race, where del Pino will start further down the grid, but believes opportunities will still present themselves.
“Yeah so I think in F3 there’s no such a thing as a relaxed race so staying out of trouble is obviously the main key point for any race in F3 and then tyre management as well is super important,” he continued. “I think here, there’s no, there was not such much deg there compared to previous years or compared to other tracks.“
“So yeah, just trying to get a good first lap, trying to get in the in a good position and then from there battle on track. Of course staying out of trouble is also a key point.”
“But if you have to be there then just trying to get on the right side of the trouble and yeah tyre management towards the end. If there’s no safety cars then that’s where the the tyres will do the difference and that’s where you can overtake or lose position.”
“So yeah I think both [need to be] taken into account for tomorrow and hopefully we can go into the right side of everything.”
Staying grounded early in the season
Despite already securing a win, del Pino remains focused on consistency rather than getting carried away with early championship talk.
“Yeah, really early into the season so there’s no goal yet and of course the win it’s good. You’re always thinking in the skies a bit.“
“But yeah I think with the floors on the with the feet, on the floor I think there’s still a lot of work to be done and I’ll take it race by race as I mentioned before, and then from there we we see where we’re at.“
“Then trying to, as I said, consistency will bring as many points as possible so if you try and be consistent and then just try and maximise also from other mistakes that’s where also will be a difference towards the end of the championship.”
