Théophile Naël’s rookie season in the 2025 FIA F3 Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) stands as a testament to resilience, adaptability, and raw pace. Entering one of the toughest junior categories in world motorsport, the 18-year-old Frenchman impressed from the outset, claiming three podiums and finishing eighth overall in the Drivers’ Championship. His journey from a debut podium in Melbourne to consistent points finishes by season’s end paints a portrait of a young driver quickly maturing under pressure.
Finding his feet in the early rounds
Naël’s F3 career began in style. At the curtain-raiser in Melbourne, he stunned the paddock with a P3 in Qualifying and a composed drive in the wet Feature Race to secure a podium finish at his first attempt. His pace in tricky conditions and his calm approach under Safety Car restarts showed a level of composure rare in a debutant. He left Australia third in the standings and brimming with confidence.
But as the championship moved to Sakhir, reality struck. Technical issues in the Sprint Race forced an early retirement, and although Naël recovered from 21st on the grid to 15th in the Feature, he left Bahrain empty-handed. The next two rounds — Imola and Monte Carlo — brought further struggles. Both weekends were defined by poor qualifying results that left him mired in traffic. In Imola, he finished 20th and 26th across the two races; in Monaco, he qualified 12th in Group A, 23rd overall, and again found himself fighting from the back. A steady Sprint Race yielded P16, but contact with the barriers ended his Feature Race prematurely.
These early struggles, however, masked Naël’s growing understanding of F3’s demands. Despite a three-race run without points, his feedback, teamwork, and consistency behind the wheel set the stage for a mid-season resurgence.
New momentum carries into the second half
Naël’s turnaround began at Barcelona, where he rediscovered both pace and confidence. He qualified fourth and translated that into a strong P5 in the Sprint and a sensational P2 in the Feature Race. His measured aggression and race management showcased maturity beyond his years, earning him his second podium and catapulting him back into the top ten in the standings.
At Spielberg, he battled through mixed weather conditions to secure P11 in the Sprint and P10 in the Feature — a solid weekend that added crucial points. Then came Silverstone, arguably his standout performance of the year. After qualifying ninth, Naël charged up to fourth in the Sprint Race, only for a fifteen-second penalty for track limits violations to drop him to 19th. Undeterred, he rebounded spectacularly in the Feature Race, climbing through the field to finish P2. It was a display of resilience and raw racecraft — and his third podium of the season.
Unfortunately, his upward momentum hit a pause at Spa-Francorchamps, where heavy rain led to the Feature Race’s cancellation and limited opportunities to score. He closed the year with consistent form: fifth in both races at Hungaroring, then a gritty if point-less outing at Monza, where he qualified 21st overall and salvaged 10th in the Sprint before finishing 18th in the Feature.
Across the ten rounds, Naël combined flashes of brilliance with disciplined learning. By the final flag, he had not only amassed 70 points but also established himself as one of F3’s most promising rookies.
Moments that mattered
From the very first race in Melbourne, Théophile Naël proved he belonged in Formula 3. His wet-weather podium on debut marked him as one of only a handful of drivers to reach the rostrum in their first weekend, showcasing both technical precision and mental strength amid chaotic conditions. After a difficult spring, he found redemption in Barcelona, where a front-row start and an assertive drive in the Feature Race produced his best performance up to that point. His decisive move on Van Hoepen for second place confirmed his status as a sharp overtaker with strategic awareness. Silverstone then encapsulated his rookie season — fast, fallible, but fiercely determined. Despite losing a Sprint Race podium to time penalties, he rebounded with a composed and commanding drive in the Feature Race to secure another second-place finish, underlining his resilience and ability to turn setbacks into statements of intent.
What the season taught
Naël’s 2025 campaign offered more than podiums; it offered perspective. Each difficult weekend revealed growth. His qualifying weaknesses in the middle of the year underscored the importance of track adaptation and tyre management — lessons that will serve him well in the long term. By contrast, his Barcelona and Silverstone performances highlighted his race-day strengths: measured aggression, consistency, and a knack for reading complex races.
Under the guidance of Van Amersfoort Racing, a team renowned for developing young talent, Naël honed his craft in data analysis, tyre strategy, and wheel-to-wheel combat. Team Principal Frits van Amersfoort praised his feedback and maturity, while team engineers noted his ability to translate debrief insights into improved performance on track.
Crucially, Naël also learned the art of recovery — not just within races, but across a season. The psychological resilience he displayed after early-season disappointments speaks volumes about his mindset. He adapted, adjusted, and improved without losing confidence or composure.
The broader picture
Finishing eighth in the Drivers’ Championship amid one of the strongest F3 grids in years represents a major success. Naël consistently competed against seasoned drivers and fellow rookies with factory-backed experience. His 70-point tally, including three podiums and multiple top-five finishes, placed him firmly within the championship’s upper echelon.
Beyond statistics, Naël’s rookie year marked his transition from talented prospect to established competitor. His consistent improvement mirrored that of Van Amersfoort Racing itself, which grew stronger as the season progressed. Together, they demonstrated that a combination of patience, teamwork, and technical acumen can bridge the gap between potential and performance.
The move to Campos Racing for 2026 — recently announced — signals the next step in his journey. Joining the reigning Teams’ Champions gives Naël a platform to convert podiums into victories and challenge for the title. His rookie campaign has already proven that he possesses both the pace and mindset required to do so.
A rookie no more
Théophile Naël’s debut F3 season was far more than a learning exercise; it was a coming-of-age story. From the high of Melbourne to the resilience of Silverstone, the young Frenchman displayed skill, determination, and an ever-sharpening competitive edge.
By finishing eighth overall, Naël achieved what many rookies struggle to do: combine flashes of brilliance with sustained growth. His year with Van Amersfoort Racing laid the groundwork for future success, and his move to Campos Racing sets the stage for a serious title challenge in 2026.
If 2025 was about learning, 2026 will be about leading — and Théophile Naël looks more than ready for the next chapter.
