In the post-Feature Race press conference, attended by Pit Debrief, Campos Racing’s Ernesto Rivera reflected on the dramatic 2026 Silverstone F3 Feature Race, which saw him return to the podium for the second time in his rookie campaign before the podium was taken away after a penalty.
Rivera crossed the line in the podium fight after a frantic one-lap restart, having recovered from a difficult opening phase to battle at the front in the closing stages. However, the classification changed after the race, with Matteo De Palo disqualified and Rivera later dropping to 10th after a five-second penalty for weaving after the bridge between Turn 14 and Turn 15.
Rivera explains difficult start and tyre-saving recovery in 2026 Silverstone F3 Feature Race
Rivera admitted that his race started in difficult fashion. He lost ground early and dropped back as he struggled with tyre behaviour, but he chose to manage the situation rather than overwork the car too soon.
“It was very tough at the beginning. I dropped back to P7, I think. I think yesterday I struggled a lot with the tyres since the beginning. I started to save as much as possible. I got passed by Maciej Gładysz, Fionn McLaughlin, and Matteo as well. So yeah, it was tough at the beginning.”
That early decision to save tyres later shaped his recovery. As the race developed, Rivera began to move forward again and found stronger pace than several drivers ahead.
“And mid-race onwards, I started to pick up the pace a little bit. I saw I had some more tyres than the others. I was able to get into P4. And yeah, last laps were amazing. That last lap was so fun. The move on Freddie was very good, I think. And also the last corners with Maciej defending was very fun.”
Rivera’s comments underline how much tyre management influenced the Silverstone Feature Race. After struggling early, he turned that patience into a late-race advantage.
Rivera relives dramatic final lap
The Safety Car created a one-lap dash to the flag, and Rivera found himself in the middle of a fierce fight for the podium. With cold, worn tyres and cars running side by side, he had to react quickly through Silverstone’s fastest sections.
“Turn one was super tricky with the tyres not being up to temp. They were so bad, in so bad condition, all grained. And coming to T9, Freddie and Matteo were side by side. Freddie went a bit wide, and then I just followed Theophile onto Maggots and Becketts.”
He came close to losing the car through the Maggots and Becketts sequence, but he kept it under control and continued attacking into the final sector.
“I almost lost the car, but I managed to keep it there. And going into Stowe, me and Matteo were side by side. I just braked as late as possible, defended last turn, and even we raced to the line. But yeah, the adrenaline was so high.”
That final lap gave the race its defining moment. Although the post-race penalties later changed the result, Rivera still highlighted the intensity and enjoyment of the battle itself.
Rivera says tyre-saving phase was key in 2026 Silverstone F3 Feature Race
Pit Debrief asked Rivera what his favourite moment of the Feature Race had been, excluding the podium result. He pointed not only to the final lap, but also to the middle phase where his tyre saving began to pay off.
“The race, apart from last lap, was mid-race. Me having a little bit more pace than the guys in front and being able to overtake, I think that was the best of my race.”
For Rivera, the satisfaction came from feeling the car come alive after the opening laps. He could see his earlier tyre management turning into a performance advantage.
“Because, yeah, you feel good inside the car when you have a little bit more pace than the others and tyres. And you see that the first laps that you saved the tyre are paying off. So for me, that was the best part of my race.”
That answer also showed the maturity behind his recovery. Rather than panic after losing positions early, Rivera kept the race alive and gave himself a chance to attack later.
Rivera calls restart lap in the 2026 Silverstone F3 Feature Race one of his best
When asked about the one-lap sprint to the finish, Rivera said he did not initially know whether the field would get another racing lap. However, once the opportunity appeared, he focused on reaching the podium places.
“Yeah, for me, for the restart, I didn’t know if we were going to get one more lap or not, but I wanted to get on the podium. I wanted to get Théo or get on the podium. At the end, we managed to get Freddie.”
He then described the lap as one of the most exciting moments of his career so far.
“And yeah, it was incredible to get that last lap of racing because it was, I think, one of the best laps of my life. Not result-wise, but exciting and we had a lot of action and adrenaline, as I said, so yeah, it was very well done.”
Even after the classification changed, that final-lap fight remained an important experience. Rivera showed that he could race aggressively at the front while managing pressure in a chaotic finish.
Rivera proud to represent Mexico
Rivera also reflected on the importance of representing Mexico on major race weekends. He said seeing Mexican flags before Qualifying gave him extra motivation.
“Yeah, it’s great to represent Mexico in these big weekends, sharing the track with everyone. When I was about to go for Qualifying, I saw some Mexican flags and yeah, I was so happy about that.”
He then offered a message to young Mexican drivers following his journey.
“And I would say to the Mexican young boys to trust yourself because that’s the most important. Many people say it, but I feel that it’s the most important. And yeah, keep working because if you keep working hard and you trust yourself, you can get wherever you want.”
Rivera’s words added a personal layer to his Silverstone weekend. Beyond the race result, he clearly valued the chance to carry national support on an international stage.
Silverstone conditions reward racecraft
Rivera also discussed why Silverstone created such exciting racing across both FIA Formula 3 races. He felt degradation, DRS strength and wind direction all contributed to the action.
“Yeah, both races were super exciting. For me, the Sprint Race wasn’t so much because I had a massive deg. But I learned a lot from yesterday and from today. And yeah, I honestly expected the deg, because yesterday I had a lot and today is a longer race.”
That learning helped him manage the Feature Race more effectively. After suffering in the Sprint Race, he adjusted his approach and made tyre life a central part of his Sunday drive.
“And yeah, the racing is great. A lot of degradation. The DRS is super powerful. And today I think it was a bit more because we had headwind going into Stowe. So yeah, great racing. And I hope I can be back here racing again.”
Silverstone therefore gave Rivera both a challenge and an opportunity. The same tyre degradation that hurt him on Saturday helped him build a stronger Sunday recovery once he managed it better.
Rivera on rookie confidence after promising showing at 2026 Silverstone F3 weekend
Pit Debrief also asked Rivera how much confidence a result like this gives him as a rookie fighting more experienced F3 drivers. Rivera said he already knew he could compete near the front, citing his recent Qualifying consistency and performances since Monaco.
“Yeah, I’ve known since the beginning of the season I’m able to fight at the top. I’ve been up there since Monaco. Monaco, being on the top five in Quali, always being on the top 12 in Quali, which is important.”
However, he also felt Silverstone gave him extra confidence because he rebounded from a tough Sprint Race and improved his tyre management.
“And yeah, honestly today it gave me confidence because I bounced back from yesterday having a tough sprint race. And I drove much better today handling the tyres. So yeah, it’s a big learning for also the next races, which are going to be high degradation as well.”
Rivera left Silverstone with a mixed final result after the penalty, but his performance still offered clear positives. He fought at the front, learned from Saturday’s tyre struggles, and showed he can stay composed during one of the most intense finishes of the 2026 F3 season.
