Ahead of the 2025 Hungarian GP, AIX Racing’s Brad Benavides opened up about the lessons learned across his career in single-seater racing, how those experiences shape his current performance, and what it takes to extract the most from equal machinery in F3. As one of the most experienced drivers on the grid this season, Benavides offered a candid assessment of his development and the competitive demands of the series.
A foundation built on learnings across Championships
While speaking to the media, including Pit Debrief, Benavides reflected on the relatively compact but significant journey he has had in the world of single-seaters. Though his progression through the ranks has not been as smooth as some of his peers, he believes that every race and session has added valuable depth to his racing knowledge.
“Well, I did sort of half a season in F2, and then one complete season in F3. So for what it’s worth, that technically is all of my experience almost in single seaters, really. But experience it is, you know, yet it is still experience, right?”
That accumulation of mileage has provided Benavides with the kind of familiarity that can only come through live competition. His time in both categories has helped him approach situations with greater clarity, particularly under pressure.
Mistakes turned into margins
When asked what makes the biggest difference in such a tightly packed field, Benavides was quick to identify the value of having made — and learned from — past mistakes. In a series where small misjudgements can decide entire weekends, knowing what not to do can be just as important as knowing what to do.
“And that is the name of the game, especially in this tight field. You know, if you already have, you know, that experience, things like not putting it together or not managing the traffic, you know, you already went through it, right? So that’s my biggest, I guess, advantage of having that experience.”
In a grid separated by fractions of a second, Benavides believes that racecraft, composure, and tactical awareness become defining factors. Being able to manage traffic, maintain tyre performance, and read the flow of a race are skills that he now leans on thanks to his previous campaigns.
Mastering the details in equal machinery
The challenge in F3 is not simply about driving fast — it’s about finding the limit within machinery designed to be as equal as possible across teams. F2 and F3 CEO Bruno Michel has repeatedly highlighted this aspect of the series, noting that equal cars place the emphasis squarely on driver skill. Benavides agrees — but adds that the search for marginal gains never stops.
In response to a question from Pit Debrief, he said, “Well, I guess kudos to Bruno for in a way alluding us drivers and also therefore the teams for, you know, how much we could do in terms of the details and how deep we could dive into the small little details that obviously ultimately add up to big differences. So yeah, that’s pretty much it. I mean, we really try our best and that sometimes can make a big gap.”
Benavides underscored how drivers and engineers must work together to exploit every nuance, from tyre pressures and setup tweaks to driving style adjustments and data interpretation. In an environment where everyone starts from the same baseline, the smallest edge can prove decisive.
Focused on the fine margins
As the 2025 F3 season progresses into its crucial final stages, Benavides stands as a testament to the importance of perseverance, analysis, and adaptability. While others may focus on raw speed, his reflections point to a more complete picture of what it takes to succeed in F3 — especially when machinery is not the differentiator.
With experience in his toolkit and a focus on continual improvement, Brad Benavides continues to sharpen his edge in one of motorsport’s most competitive proving grounds.
