PREMA Racing’s Alex Powell delivered one of the standout performances of the opening Qualifying session at the 2026 FIA F3 Madrid round, taking 10th place and securing a second-row start for the Sprint Race.
Powell entered the weekend with limited F3 experience after joining the championship only recently, yet he immediately showed competitive pace around the unfamiliar Madring. In just his second F3 Qualifying appearance, he fought towards the front before eventually finishing inside the top 10.
The result also represented a clear improvement from Free Practice, where Powell and PREMA Racing struggled to extract the same level of performance. Nevertheless, he found a better rhythm once Qualifying began and kept the car out of trouble around a circuit that leaves little margin for error.
Powell takes confidence from strong Madrid F3 Qualifying
Powell admitted that his appearance in Madrid had come together at short notice, making his top-10 result particularly satisfying. Although he recognised areas where he could still improve, he viewed the result as a positive step in his early F3 experience.
He also praised PREMA Racing after the team made progress between Practice and Qualifying, giving him a car that allowed him to compete much closer to the front.
“A couple weeks ago I didn’t even know I would be here,” Powell said to Formula 3 after the session. “So very last minute, happy with the whole session to be honest. It was really strong for the whole team.
“We struggled a little bit this morning in Practice so I was a bit skeptical going into quali but the car was working really well, and I was happy with my driving.
“I think of course in retrospect I could have done a few things better but if I would have known I would have been a top 10 a couple weeks ago, I would have definitely taken it and signed the paper. So it’s a good step for me, a good step forward but of course the aim is going to be to keep building from here.”
The result gave Powell another useful benchmark as he continues to adapt to F3 machinery and the demands of the championship.
Early rhythm helps Powell around demanding Madring
The Madrid circuit placed additional emphasis on confidence because of its walls, high-speed sections and limited margin for error. Although the drivers completed testing at the venue last month, Friday’s Practice session offered one final opportunity to prepare before the two grid-setting Qualifying sessions.
Powell found Practice more difficult, but he felt comfortable from his opening push lap once Qualifying began. That early confidence allowed him to build progressively rather than spending the session searching for a basic rhythm.
“It was very difficult in Practice to build things up. I felt really good though from the first push which was very nice, especially at a street circuit, you kind of have to have the rhythm from very early on.
“So I was really, really happy that I could feel a good rhythm from the very first push and then it was just about sustaining and building on that but we were pretty strong the whole time.”
That consistency proved particularly valuable with two Qualifying sessions taking place on the same afternoon. A mistake or incident could have compromised more than one race opportunity, so completing clean laps remained just as important as finding outright speed.
Powell keeps Madrid Qualifying clean as intensity rises
Powell believed he left some time available during the session, particularly as the level of commitment increased on the final runs. However, he also avoided the major incidents that can easily derail a session around the Madring.
The PREMA Racing driver therefore left Qualifying satisfied with the balance between pushing for performance and keeping the car within the circuit’s narrow limits.
“Looking back on it, I could have found a little bit here and a little bit there, but I’m sure everyone could say the same thing. Of course, as the session goes on, the intensity rises and you start to take a little bit more risk.
“I just missed a few tenths here and there to finish a little bit higher up but still it was a clean session for me, with no major scary moments let’s say.”
Finishing 10th also carried an additional reward through the reversed Sprint grid format, which promoted Powell to the second row for Saturday’s race.
Powell targets progress from second row in Madrid Sprint
Despite securing one of his strongest starting positions since joining F3, Powell does not intend to approach the Sprint defensively. Instead, he wants to use the second-row start as an opportunity to gain positions and build further experience.
Tyre management remains one of the areas he continues to learn after stepping into the championship, but Powell believes his starting position gives him a strong opportunity to work on that aspect while competing near the front.
“The goal will be to move forward. We’re on the second row of the grid for the Sprint, but the goal is still to move forward. The tyre management is still new to me, but I think I’m in a good position to make it work, so eyes forward.”
With overtaking expected to require patience around the Madring, Powell’s qualifying result gives him track position before the race begins. More importantly, it provides another opportunity to build his understanding of F3 while fighting among the leading group.
Madrid result continues Powell’s rapid F3 learning process
Powell entered Madrid with little time to prepare for his second championship appearance, but his Qualifying 1 performance showed how quickly he has adapted to the demands of the category.
He still sees clear areas for improvement, particularly as he develops his tyre management and refines his approach to Qualifying. However, a top-10 result and second-row Sprint start represent meaningful progress at this stage of his F3 experience.
Powell will now look to turn that starting position into another step forward when the Sprint Race gets underway at the Madring.
