Ricardo Escotto and Gerrard Xie will not participate in the ninth and final round of the 2026 FIA F3 season in Madrid, with both AIX Racing and DAMS Lucas Oil set to field two cars at Madring.
AIX Racing confirmed Escotto’s withdrawal after the Mexican driver was involved in a road traffic collision. Following medical advice, he will not compete this weekend as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, DAMS Lucas Oil has also confirmed Xie’s withdrawal from the Madrid event, although the information provided does not specify the reason for his absence.
Escotto to miss Madrid following road traffic collision
Escotto had been due to compete in the No. 26 AIX Racing car during the season finale, but the team confirmed that the entry will not take part in the weekend. AIX said the decision followed medical advice after Escotto’s recent road traffic collision, with the team remaining in close contact with him as he recovers.
AIX Racing FIA Formula 3 Team Manager Kenny Kirwan said the team’s immediate focus remained on Escotto’s health and wellbeing following the incident.
“First and foremost, our thoughts are with Ricardo following his recent traffic collision. On behalf of everyone at AIX Racing, I would like to wish him a smooth and speedy recovery. His health and wellbeing are, above all else, the priority at this time.
“Unfortunately, as a result of this incident, Ricardo will not be able to participate in the upcoming Madring Formula 1 support event, which is the final round of the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
“Our thoughts are firmly with him and his family as he focuses on his recovery, and we would like to thank Ricardo for his commitment and contribution to AIX Racing.
“We wish him all the very best for his recovery and for the next chapter of his career.”
As a result, AIX Racing will enter two cars rather than three in Madrid. The team has not announced a replacement for Escotto, meaning the No. 26 car will remain absent from the final round.
Xie also withdrawn from final 2026 F3 round
DAMS Lucas Oil has also confirmed that Gerrard Xie will not take part in the Madrid weekend. The information released alongside the withdrawal does not provide a reason for the decision, so Xie will join Escotto among the drivers absent from the season-ending event.
DAMS will consequently field two cars at Madring, matching the reduced AIX Racing entry. Both teams normally operate three-car line-ups, so the withdrawals will reduce the overall field for the final event of the 2026 campaign.
AIX and DAMS reduce Madrid entries
The two withdrawals come ahead of an important weekend for Formula 3, with Madrid hosting the final round of the season. Escotto and Xie will both miss the championship’s concluding event, while their respective teams will continue with two-car programmes.
For Escotto, AIX Racing has made clear that the decision centres on his recovery following the road traffic collision. The team has not provided further medical details and has instead emphasised that his health remains the priority as he steps away from competition this weekend.
