Pedro Clerot says ending a difficult rookie FIA Formula 3 season with a victory and another podium in Madrid made the conclusion to his 2026 campaign particularly special. The Rodin Motorsport driver followed his maiden F3 victory in Feature Race 1 with third place in the season-ending Feature Race 2 in Madrid, completing comfortably his strongest weekend of 2026.
The result took Clerot to five podiums across his rookie campaign and lifted him to 88 points in the final Drivers’ Championship standings. Although the Brazilian did not mount the championship challenge he had hoped for at the beginning of the season, he believes the progress made alongside Rodin provides plenty of encouragement heading into his next challenge.
Clerot delighted to finish difficult 2026 F3 season strongly
Clerot entered Madrid after what he described as a difficult season for both himself and Rodin, but the final weekend provided a significant turnaround. He controlled Feature Race 1 from the front to take his first F3 victory before returning to the podium with third in Feature Race 2, giving himself and the team two strong results to finish the campaign.
Reflecting on the weekend after Sunday’s race, Clerot highlighted the work carried out during the latter stages of the year and said the focus had remained on execution rather than placing expectations on a particular result.
“Very good. It was obviously a very strong weekend on our side, both for me and the team. I am very happy that we could end the season on a high. As I said before, it was a very tough year for us, but to finish like this makes it extra special. I am very happy with the work we put in after the test and also Monza. We knew coming here that we had a good chance to fight, but I try not to think about results and just focus on the work. That is what we did and that is what we achieved.”
That approach paid off across both Feature Races. Rodin arrived in Madrid with improved performance after a challenging campaign, and Clerot capitalised by delivering the team’s strongest weekend of the season while also making significant gains in the championship.
Feature Race 1 victory followed by another Madrid podium
Clerot’s first podium of the weekend came through a controlled victory in Feature Race 1, where he managed the race from the front and converted his opportunity into his maiden FIA Formula 3 win. The following day, he started Feature Race 2 from third and remained in the leading group behind eventual winner Tuukka Taponen and newly crowned champion Ugo Ugochukwu.
Although Clerot felt there may have been an opportunity to achieve slightly more, he was satisfied to secure another podium and a sizeable points return after the difficulties he and Rodin had encountered earlier in the season.
“Yesterday was a very good race, winning and controlling it completely. Today, we brought home good points for both the Teams’ and Drivers’ Championships. I am obviously very happy. Maybe we could have fought for a little more, but I will take it. After such a hard year, it is good to finish like this.”
The 15 points from third place took Clerot to 88 for the season, leaving him level with Théophile Naël in the final standings. His contributions across the Madrid weekend also helped Rodin Motorsport finish the year on 161 points in the Teams’ Championship.
Five podiums exceed Clerot’s rookie-season expectations
Clerot’s first full Formula 3 campaign ultimately produced five podiums, including his breakthrough victory in Madrid. For a rookie season in a category where drivers receive limited track time before qualifying and racing, the Brazilian admitted that achieving that number of podium finishes went beyond what he had expected before the campaign began.
He identified adaptability as one of the biggest lessons from his first season, particularly because the format leaves drivers with little time to learn circuits, understand changing conditions and refine the car before competitive sessions begin.
“For sure. You do not get much driving in this series. It is all about adapting and being in control of the things you can control. I am very happy with what we achieved. Five podiums this season is something I never imagined doing in my rookie season. We always aim to fight for the championship. It was not to be this time, but I am very happy with the work we did with Rodin this year. I have learned a lot.”
Although the championship challenge did not materialise, Clerot’s five podiums and late-season victory ensured his rookie campaign still produced considerable progress. The improvement shown in Madrid also allowed him to finish the year with his strongest performances rather than allowing the earlier difficulties to define the season.
Rodin became ‘like a family’ during Clerot’s rookie year
Clerot also credited Rodin Motorsport with helping him adapt to FIA Formula 3 and supporting him throughout the more challenging periods of the campaign. The relationship developed beyond the technical side of racing, with the Brazilian describing the team as a family after spending his rookie season working closely with the British outfit.
That support became particularly important as Clerot and Rodin searched for improvements during a season in which results did not always reflect their expectations. Their work eventually culminated in the Madrid breakthrough and gave Clerot a positive conclusion to his first year in F3.
“Rodin have been like a family to me this year and welcomed me very well from day one, so I am very happy with what we achieved. Hopefully, I can get some more silverware in whatever comes next.”
The strong finish therefore carried meaning beyond the individual results. Clerot was able to reward the team with a victory and another podium after the work undertaken throughout the campaign, while also taking valuable momentum into the next stage of his career.
Clerot ‘very happy’ with undisclosed 2027 plans
Unlike some drivers leaving Madrid without certainty over their immediate futures, Clerot indicated that his plans for 2027 are already taking shape. He did not reveal where he will compete next season, but made clear that he is pleased with the direction in which his career is heading and expects to be in a position to fight for major honours.
“Yes, I am very happy with how the plans look for next year. Obviously, I cannot share them, but it is going to be very nice. I am very happy to be going where I am going. I think it is going to be a very strong year. We have the capability to fight for championships in whatever comes next.”
His comments suggest that an agreement for his next programme is already well advanced, even if an official announcement remains some way off. After ending his rookie F3 campaign with his best weekend of the year, Clerot believes the next step should provide another opportunity to compete at the front and challenge for a championship.
Clerot ready for a break before his next challenge
Before turning his full attention towards 2027, Clerot plans to spend some time away from racing and return home to Brazil. After a demanding first season in Formula 3, the Madrid weekend has given him plenty to celebrate and provided a positive final memory before his focus shifts to the next stage of his career.
“I am looking forward to it, but I also want to enjoy some free time now, spend time with my family, go back home to Brazil and celebrate a little.”
The break comes after a finale that dramatically changed the tone of Clerot’s season. A campaign he repeatedly described as difficult ended with his first F3 victory, consecutive podiums and a strong late climb in the championship, leaving him with considerably more momentum than appeared likely only a few rounds earlier.
