Following a strong run of results in the opening rounds of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) season, Pedro Clerot heads to Barcelona looking to build on the momentum generated in Monaco and continue his push towards the front of the field.
Speaking during the pre-Barcelona round Virtual Media Roundtable, attended by Pit Debrief, the Rodin Motorsport driver highlighted his experience as a key advantage heading into the European leg of the championship.
When asked by Pit Debrief what would constitute a successful weekend for him personally in Barcelona, Clerot pointed to consistency and points as his main objectives after securing his maiden 2026 F3 podium in Monte Carlo.
“Yeah for me I think it’s just continuing the momentum we have from Monaco, you know having my first podium there and grabbing a good amount of points is always the main thing,” Clerot said.
“So yeah I really like this track, I’ve always had really good results here. Funny thing is that all the last four races I did here I was on the podium so hopefully I can continue this streak. So yeah, lets see.”
Teamwork within Rodin Motorsport
Clerot and teammate Brando Badoer have both impressed so far this season, combining for three podium finishes between them. Badoer secured a podium in the Melbourne Sprint Race before claiming his maiden FIA Formula 3 victory in the Monaco Feature Race. Meanwhile, Clerot earned his first podium of the season in Monaco, inheriting third place in the Sprint Race after race winner Hiyu Yamakoshi was disqualified for a technical infringement.
Reflecting on their strong start to the year, the Brazilian highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team and the close relationship he shares with his teammate.
“Well I think generally we’ve been very close as teammates and a funny thing that we actually discussed in Monaco is how well the team environment is and how well we are working,” he explained.
“I think that’s the most important thing. The atmosphere is one, trying to help each other and motivate the team to do well and even better after every round and I think it’s been paying off.”
According to Clerot, the work carried out away from the track has been a major contributor to the team’s performances so far this year.
“All the sim sessions we’ve been doing and all the work we’ve been doing together has been really good so far and we did a really good job in Monaco,” he said.
“We’re really excited actually. We were discussing today how we had good memories here from our days as teammates in FRECA and how we are excited for the next few tracks.”
Increased familiarity for the next F3 rounds
With the championship now entering a run of circuits that many drivers know well, Clerot believes the increased familiarity should provide another boost as he continues his rookie Formula 3 campaign.
“As we come to tracks we know more, especially for me where I am a bit more comfortable knowing the tracks a bit more and being generally in a better experience state compared to the second year guys or even the third year guys compared as well,” he said.
“Australia and Monaco was my first time in both those tracks and also first time in a street track so yeah we’re quite confident. The team has been working very, very well like I said so we’re only looking forward. We want to get better results for the team as well. I want to score my first win so yeah let’s keep working like this. I think we should be okay.”
Feeder series experience paying dividends
Barcelona is one of the most familiar circuits on the Formula 3 calendar, having featured heavily throughout the junior ranks and preseason testing. Clerot arrives at the 2026 F3 Barcelona round with plenty of experience around circuit, having competed there across multiple categories during his junior career.
The Brazilian raced in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (now Formula Regional European Championship) in 2024 and 2025, finishing fourth in the standings last season. Prior to that, he competed in the Brazilian, Spanish, Italian and UAE Formula 4 championships, gaining extensive experience all around the world in F4.
“Yeah yeah you know Barcelona is a track that we drive a lot growing up in the feeder series and also in F3,” he said.
“It’s one of the few tracks we get to drive a few times on it before actually going into the season so yeah like I said I like the track and I think it has its you know unique things about the track.”
“Preparation is key”
The Brazilian also identified tyre degradation and qualifying execution as two of the key factors that could determine the outcome of the weekend.
“We have a lot of degradation here so that’s a key thing and also like Alessandro said you don’t get much time in the track before going into qualifying and qualifying gets very tricky with only being one lap so for sure we need to be on top of everything,” Clerot explained.
“We need to manage also with the team so yeah preparation is key and I think we did a good preparation coming here so looking forward.”
