Brad Benavides is gearing up for another year in F3, and his enthusiasm for what lies ahead with AIX Racing in 2026 is clear. After making a late return to the grid in 2025, the American driver quickly reminded everyone of his pace, taking two stunning pole positions at Spa-Francorchamps and Monza and a front-row start in Spielberg.
Although those performances did not translate into podiums, Benavides believes the ingredients are there for a breakthrough. As he and the team prepare for 2026, he says the goal is simple — to keep their strong Qualifying form and turn it into race-winning results.
Continuing the momentum
The 2025 season gave Benavides and AIX Racing plenty to build upon. The driver and team rediscovered rhythm and confidence in the latter half of the campaign, particularly in one-lap pace, and Benavides says that foundation makes him optimistic for what’s ahead.
“Very happy to continue the work from last year with AIX, so excited,” said Benavides. “We definitely ended the season on a high, as in the last five rounds we had three front row starts. So it’s good Qualifying form, and we want to follow that through into the start of next year.”
“We were a bit unlucky, as in Austria it wasn’t necessary a lack of race pace necessarily, as I was on older tyres, and my competitors were on new tyres, as I used three tyres in quali. I also had some issues which made me lose a couple of places. Spa was cancelled, and the opportunity I couldn’t capitalise on was Monza, which was a draft-focused race.”
“But we are working in testing on improving the race pace, because if there is something that we could unpack from last year, that was our greatest weakness. But obviously looking to carry our Qualifying form.”
After showing flashes of front-running speed, Benavides knows that improving consistency across the race distance is key. His focus during the off-season tests has been to strengthen tyre management and car balance over long runs — areas that could make the difference in 2026.
Building strength through team unity
Beyond performance, Benavides believes that the environment within AIX Racing is one of the team’s greatest assets. Returning for a second year with the same personnel, he says, creates a sense of familiarity that allows everyone to work at their best.
“Mainly, the job is to also enjoy,” he said. “Working with those guys is definitely a key part in all of that, that you can work well with your teammates and that there is a good environment with the team. Since it’s the second year as well, I know the mechanics, the Team Manager and the engineers very well, so it’s like a family now.”
That strong bond extends to his teammates too. Benavides values the mutual respect and collaboration he has already built with Yevan David and Fernando Barrichello, having raced alongside them in another championship. It is a dynamic he believes will help AIX Racing find those final few tenths that separate good results from great ones.
Driven by competitive fire
While Benavides appreciates the positive and supportive atmosphere in the team, his competitive instinct remains as sharp as ever. The 2026 season represents a fresh opportunity to fight at the front — something he feels ready to seize.
“For sure, within my nature I am highly competitive,” said Benavides. “But across my career, I have not been lucky or blessed to be able aim for podiums and race wins. But drawing from last year, the potential was on the table and I could only hope to be able to finally achieve those podiums and wins, it’s a dream of mine. It’s completely embedded within my competitive nature, so if I could say what my goals are, and define them, it’s to do better than I ever have.”
That drive, combined with the confidence he has built through the growing competitiveness of AIX Racing, could make Benavides one to watch in the 2026 F3 season. With post-season testing concluded, his goal is clear: to transform promise into podiums — and perhaps even into his first Formula 3 victory.
