As the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship reaches its midpoint, the recent double-header across Spielberg and Silverstone has introduced a new layer of intensity to an already fiercely contested title race. The championship battle in both the Drivers’ and Teams’ standings remains wide open, with multiple drivers now mounting serious challenges to early-season dominator Rafael Câmara. Simultaneously, the Teams’ fight has taken an unexpected turn, as perennial title contenders find themselves in a tight contest with an emerging powerhouse. Bruno Michel, CEO of the F3 Championship, offered a comprehensive reflection on the last two race weekends in Spielberg and Silverstone, underscoring the quality of competition, strategic variables, and the increasing complexity of the title dynamics.
Spielberg and Silverstone provide some spice
Over the course of two consecutive race weekends, the drivers tackled two of the most iconic and technically demanding circuits on the calendar—Austria’s Red Bull Ring and the historic Silverstone Circuit. Both events delivered wheel-to-wheel racing, strategic drama, and mixed weather conditions that reshaped the championship landscape. Bruno Michel began his evaluation with praise for the racing spectacle and the role the circuits played in providing opportunities for emerging talents.
“Once again, we had great racing in the last two rounds, and it is true that both tracks always provide us and the fans with enthralling on-track action. In Silverstone, the rain on Sunday really spiced things up, too, and I must say we saw some very mature drives.”
Indeed, the level of maturity displayed by several young drivers stood out—particularly in changing conditions. The unpredictability of the weather, especially at Silverstone, created a highly dynamic race environment where strategy, tyre choices, and adaptability became decisive factors. The weekend also highlighted the increasing depth of talent across the field, with three different race winners emerging from the last four races.
“We have seen three new race winners in the past four races, including Thailand’s Tasanapol Inthraphuvask who claimed a maiden F3 victory in Silverstone Sprint. The Championship is very much still open. We had a clear leader coming into the double-header in Rafael Câmara, but in terms of speed he is being caught up. And after Silverstone, we have a new leader in the Teams’ Standings as well, with Campos Racing overtaking Trident. All in all, both race weekends had fantastic action on the track, so we are really happy with that.”
Câmara’s grip loosens as Tramnitz and Tsolov close the gap
While Rafael Câmara continues to lead the Drivers’ Championship, his grasp on the top spot has weakened in recent rounds. The PREMA Racing driver had enjoyed a commanding first half of the season, most notably with a dominant performance in the Barcelona Feature Race. However, the Austrian and British rounds exposed vulnerabilities, especially in tyre management and strategic execution.
“When Rafael Camara starts in front, quite often he is untouchable, that is for sure. And he has been doing very well in the car in the first half of the season. But in Qualifying in Spielberg, he was not as dominant as previously, and in the Feature, I think the tyre degradation caught him a little bit by surprise.”
This assessment echoes what many observed trackside. In Spielberg, although Câmara initially looked strong, his pace deteriorated as the race progressed. Tyre degradation became a major concern, especially as rivals appeared to preserve their rubber more effectively.
“After quite a strong start to the race, the degradation and the fact that some cars were saving their tyres more than others made a difference. That is how his title rival Nikola Tsolov was able to win the race on the track, but, following a technical infringement, the Bulgarian lost the win to Martinius Stenshorne’s benefit.”
The incident was a turning point. Tsolov, who had seemingly claimed a critical Feature Race win, was later penalised, handing the victory to Stenshorne. Nevertheless, Tsolov’s pace confirmed that Câmara now faces real pressure from multiple contenders.
Weather a key factor in Silverstone
Moving to Silverstone, strategic decisions under changing weather conditions became crucial. Several drivers, including both Câmara and Tsolov, miscalculated tyre selections—opting for the Hard compound when the conditions soon favoured those on softer rubber.
“At Silverstone, weather came into play and both Camara and Tsolov – who was on pole position, started on the Hard tyres, which turned out to be the wrong decision. I am sure they will want that decision back, but we got to see a new Feature Race winner in Mari Boya on Sunday, and he did a great job. The Spaniard slowly, but surely, is joining the title fight.”
The Spaniard’s first Feature Race win has brought him into the mix at a critical juncture. Meanwhile, Tim Tramnitz—though failing to score points in Silverstone—capitalised on the misfortunes of others to climb to second in the standings. His performance in Spielberg, along with Tsolov’s lost victory and compromised British round, contributed to a reshuffling of the order behind Câmara.
“Meanwhile, Tim Tramnitz may have left Silverstone pointless, but his performance in Austria, and the fact that Tsolov lost the Spielberg Feature win, plus lost some extremely precious points in the Silverstone Feature, means that the MP Motorsport ace has moved up to second in the Standings. It will be interesting to see what happens as we head towards the summer break.”
As the paddock prepares for a brief rest period, the momentum appears to be shifting. Câmara can no longer rely solely on qualifying pace and early-race speed. Consistency, strategic precision, and adaptability will be the deciding factors over the final three rounds.
Teams’ title fight enters new territory
Beyond the individual battle, the competition among teams is becoming equally captivating. PREMA Racing and Trident have traditionally occupied the top spots in recent seasons. However, 2025 has brought a changing of the guard. Campos Racing have emerged as genuine contenders, capitalising on consistency and depth across both Sprint and Feature Races.
“We have been used to a battle between reigning champions PREMA Racing and Trident in recent years for the F3 crown. But Campos Racing have thrown the gauntlet and are now sitting pretty at the top of the Standings, 2 points ahead of Trident. There are still quite a few points left on the table, but it looks like the title will be decided between these two teams.”
While Campos and Trident appear poised for a showdown, the picture behind them remains fluid. MP Motorsport’s resurgence, led by Tramnitz, has placed them firmly in third. Simultaneously, Van Amersfoort Racing are enjoying their strongest F3 campaign to date, and now present a real threat to podium contention.
“Behind the pair, MP Motorsport are a solid third, but Van Amersfoort Racing are having their strongest season to date, so could they challenge their countrymen for a podium finish? ART Grand Prix – who finally claimed a win this season in Spielberg Sprint, remain within touching distance to VAR, Rodin Motorsport in tow.”
“I think it could be a very close fight for all of these teams in the final three rounds of 2025.”
Michel’s comments reflect a broader theme in the 2025 season—the narrowing gap between traditionally dominant teams and rising midfield squads. The field is more competitive than ever, with tactical sharpness and driver development playing increasingly decisive roles.
Make-or-break rounds ahead
Looking ahead, the F3 grid will next head to Spa-Francorchamps for another double-header. The Belgian circuit is renowned for its long straights, technical complexity, and unpredictable weather—characteristics that make it a driver favourite but also a place where fortunes can shift dramatically.
“Next up on the calendar is another double-header, starting in Spa-Francorchamps. This is a venue where again the weather can be a bit unpredictable, just like Silverstone. It is a very technical track, one that the drivers and the teams like for its challenge. It can also be a make-or-break race weekend for the drivers chasing for the F3 crown.”
Furthermore, the introduction of the new car for 2025 has created an element of unpredictability regarding team form. Previous expectations based on historical data may no longer apply, as the balance of performance continues to evolve.
“There are teams that are expected to do strongly, looking at past results, but it is true that since we introduced the new car, we have seen a bit of a reshuffle, which is great and exciting to see. But for now, everyone has a bit of time to rest first and then look at the data to prep for the next two rounds.”
With just three rounds left on the calendar and the standings tightening across the board, Spa will likely play a pivotal role in defining the 2025 F3 season. For drivers and teams alike, every decision, every lap, and every point will matter more than ever before.
