Campos Racing has officially unveiled Théophile Naël as its first confirmed driver for the 2026 F3 season, signalling a clear intention to build upon its title-winning success in 2025. The French teenager, widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in single-seater racing, will join the reigning teams’ champions for what promises to be a pivotal year in his career.
A rising star from Saint-Étienne
Born on 22 June 2007 in Saint-Étienne, France, Théophile Guy Yannick Naël has risen through the ranks of international motorsport with remarkable consistency and speed. From an early age, he displayed a natural flair for racing, dominating the French karting scene with national titles in both the Cadet (2018) and X30 Junior (2020) categories.
Shortly after turning 15, he made his single-seater debut—an early transition that immediately paid dividends. By 2023, Naël had captured the F4 Spain Championship, securing eight victories and six additional podiums, a performance that firmly placed him on the radar of top-tier teams across Europe.
Rapid ascent through Formula Regional
Following his F4 triumph, Naël progressed to the highly competitive Formula Regional category. There, he continued his winning ways, collecting podium finishes and victories in both the European and Middle Eastern championships. His rapid adaptation to more powerful machinery impressed teams and commentators alike, reinforcing his status as a future star.
Naturally, this momentum carried him into F3 in 2025, where he competed as a rookie with Van Amersfoort Racing. Despite entering a fiercely contested field, he distinguished himself with podiums in Barcelona and Silverstone—both second-place finishes—alongside a third-place result in Melbourne. These performances demonstrated not only his speed but also a mature racecraft beyond his years.
Campos Racing targets title defence
With its eyes firmly set on defending the 2025 F3 Teams’ Championship, Campos Racing has made a strategic move by signing Naël. The Spanish outfit, founded in 1998 and based in Alzira, has long established itself as a launchpad for young talent. Now, with Naël in one of its seats, the team hopes to replicate—and possibly exceed—the success it enjoyed in the previous season.
Speaking on the announcement, Team Principal Adrián Campos expressed his confidence in the young Frenchman: “On behalf of the entire team, I want to give a warm welcome to Théophile. He is a driver we have closely followed since his debut in single-seaters due to his outstanding record. He is an F4 Champion and has shown a remarkable ability to adapt quickly to any category, even climbing the podium as a rookie in all of them. In short, I am certain he will bring a great deal to Campos Racing, and we will work together at the highest level to ensure next season is a tremendously successful one for everyone.”
Naël embraces new challenge
Naël, for his part, has voiced genuine enthusiasm about joining a team he once faced as a rival: “I’m really happy to be joining Campos Racing for the 2026 FIA F3 season! It’s a team I’ve been racing against for years and I have always respected their professionalism and admired their work. To now have the chance to represent their colours is a real honour. I can’t wait to take on this challenge and go hunting for the championship in 2026.”
Théophile Naël’s move to Campos Racing marks a significant milestone in both his personal journey and the team’s ongoing pursuit of excellence. With proven results, a sharp learning curve, and an unshakeable focus, the 18-year-old enters the 2026 season with high expectations and the tools needed to meet them. Undoubtedly, all eyes will be on this exciting partnership as the new season unfolds.
