The 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship has now drawn to a close after what has been one of the most memorable seasons in the category’s history. A year that introduced a brand-new car also delivered fierce on-track rivalries, unpredictable results, and a Drivers’ Champion in Rafael Câmara who showed both speed and resilience. Alongside his triumph with Trident, Campos Racing etched their name into the record books by securing their maiden Teams’ Championship, underlining the competitiveness that has defined this campaign. As the dust settled at Monza, F3 CEO Bruno Michel reflected on the defining moments of 2025, the significance of the new car, and the progress made by the teams and drivers alike.
A season that lived up to expectations
When F3 unveiled its new car for 2025, expectations were understandably high. The previous chassis had served the series well, but in a championship designed to prepare the stars of tomorrow, technical evolution is vital. The new machine needed to strike the balance between performance, reliability, and close racing – and according to Michel, it achieved exactly that.
“I think this season has been great. It was one with a new car and when you have a new car, you enter the year with a lot of expectations. You always want a new car to be fast, reliable and to produce fantastic racing. That’s exactly what we had. So, on that aspect, we are, and I am extremely happy with how it went. Then, the season overall has been hugely exciting, and the final round has been absolutely amazing.”
No shortage of storylines in 2025
The 2025 season had no shortage of storylines. From unexpected race winners to late-season title charges, the competitive depth of the grid was evident. Even as Câmara secured the Drivers’ Championship before Monza, intrigue remained. Battles for second and third in the standings were unresolved, and the Teams’ Championship remained on a knife edge.
“Câmara was already crowned heading into the final race weekend but there were a lot of fights elsewhere like second and third places in the Drivers’ Standings for instance, and of course the Teams’ Championship. It all came down to the last race, which is always the best scenario. After two Safety Cars, it came alive, and it was amazing with so much action to decide the final standings.”
The finale at Monza lived up to that billing. Safety Cars bunched the field and created a platform for daring overtakes, strategic gambles, and dramatic swings in the points. It was a weekend that showcased everything F3 is meant to be: a proving ground for young drivers under pressure.
Campos Racing celebrate Teams’ Championship glory
While Câmara’s triumph rightly drew headlines, the story of Campos Racing may be the most inspiring of the season. Just two years ago, the Spanish team languished at the back of the field, struggling to keep pace with the frontrunners. Their results were often modest, and many questioned whether the team could ever rise to challenge the giants of F3 such as Trident, ART, or Prema. Yet, a steady programme of development, astute driver signings, and sheer determination gradually turned the tide.
By 2025, that hard work paid off in emphatic fashion. Campos Racing, once underdogs, became F3 champions for the very first time. Michel did not miss the scale of the achievement and emphasised how remarkable the victory felt even within the team itself.
“They couldn’t believe it themselves! It was a fantastic result for the Spanish team and I’m so happy for Adrian Campos and everyone working there, they’ve done a great job to clinch their first F3 crown.”
A tense weekend for Campos
Their rise reached its peak at Monza, where Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak and Nikola Tsolov delivered a stunning one-two finish in the Feature Race. For a team that had so recently been fighting at the back, to see two of their drivers standing proudly on the podium represented not only their progress, but also the evolving nature of the championship itself.
“The race on Sunday was quite difficult for Adrian because he had two of his drivers fighting for the victory and with zero thought of the Championship, which is great and that’s what we want to see, but I can imagine it wasn’t comfortable to watch for Campos.”
It was a moment of both celebration and tension. Adrian Campos, leading the team through its greatest success, had to endure the nerve-wracking experience of watching his drivers push each other to the limit, knowing that the Teams’ Championship was at stake. The result, however, confirmed their status as worthy champions.
“At the end of the day, they’re worthy Champions and I’m very happy for them. They had a great season and I’m pleased that the titles were split between two teams with Trident winning in the Drivers’ Championship with Rafael Câmara, and Campos winning in the Teams’ Championship,” Michel said.
From backmarkers to title contenders
Campos’ rise stands as living proof that in motorsport, fortunes can change with persistence and the right vision. The journey from struggling to score points to clinching the 2025 F3 Teams’ title at Monza is a testament to their long-term commitment. It also serves as inspiration to other teams within the championship who may currently find themselves battling at the rear.
“Trident have been used to fighting at the front in F3 for quite some time now, but two seasons ago, Campos Racing was struggling at the back of the grid. Already last year, we could see how much progress they had made, but this year what they have achieved is amazing, and they concluded with a 1-2 in the Feature Race in Monza, taking second and third in the Drivers’ Standings with NIkola Tsolov and Mari Boya…”
The combination of Tsolov and Boya, finishing second and third in the Drivers’ Standings, underlined the strength of Campos’ 2025 campaign. No longer outsiders, they now stand shoulder to shoulder with the series’ elite. Yet, Michel was quick to temper celebrations with a reminder of the relentless competitiveness of F3.
“Campos and Trident may have dominated this season, but I am certain that they will have to face a fierce competition from the rest of the grid in 2026…”
That warning is no idle remark. Several teams are already gearing up to close the gap, and the 2026 season promises to be even more tightly contested. Campos Racing may have climbed to the top, but staying there will require the same grit and growth that carried them from backmarkers to champions.
Câmara’s comeback
Even with his championship secured, Rafael Câmara had one more chance to show why he was the class of the field in 2025. His Monza weekend began in disaster, as a qualifying error saw his fastest lap deleted for track limits. The consequence was starting from 30th in both races – a daunting task for any driver, let alone one with nothing left to prove.
“I need to praise the race of Câmara. He started last after having had a nightmare in Qualifying, where he pushed too much on his lap and got his time deleted for track limits. With a short session as the Qualifying was split into two groups, our 2025 Champion simply did not have time left to go for another push lap. That was a disaster for him and his team, Trident.”
What followed, however, was one of the drives of the season. Câmara scythed through the field with a mix of precision overtaking and controlled aggression, rising from 30th to fifth in Sunday’s Feature Race. It was a performance that silenced critics who claimed he struggled in traffic.
“So Câmara started 30th in both races, and on Sunday he finished fifth. How amazing is that?! We’ve been saying a few times this season that he’s been strong when he’s starting from the front, but when he starts from the middle of the pack, he finds it more difficult. I think it’s safe to say that in Monza, he proved us wrong, and he did a fantastic job. Ultimately, I’m sorry for Maurizio Salvadori and his team, who have failed to clinch the title, but I spoke with him after the race and he’s very happy with the season regardless.”
Up next: 2026
As the champagne dried and the celebrations wound down, attention quickly shifted to what comes next. F3 never stands still, and the early signs, at least from Michel’s perspective, suggest that 2026 will be every bit as competitive as 2025.
“Next season is already looking good. It’s quite interesting because drivers are signing earlier and earlier, and the grid is starting to take shape. Five drivers have already been confirmed.”
The driver market has indeed accelerated, with young hopefuls eager to secure seats and teams moving quickly to lock in talent. Meanwhile, the testing calendar promises to offer early glimpses of the 2026 pecking order.
“Now, we have six days of testing coming up in October, starting with 2 days at Jerez on October 7-8, then another two days at Barcelona on October 15-16 and then two final days at Imola on October 21-22, and it’s going to be interesting to see who the new drivers are and who will continue on in F3 next season.”
For Michel, the conclusion of one season is always the starting point for the next. His closing remarks reflected gratitude for the teams and drivers who made 2025 such a success, as well as excitement for the battles to come.
“Until then, I would like to thank the teams and the drivers, our partners, everyone involved in F3 and working so hard in our paddock for making this past season a great success. I sincerely hope that the fans have enjoyed it as much as we did. I cannot wait for the action to pick up again in 2026!”
