Bruno del Pino is embarking on a fresh journey in his second season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. After a rollercoaster 2025 F3 campaign, Del Pino has signed with Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) for 2026. While his rookie year in F3 had its highlights, including a promising P2 finish at Imola, Del Pino faced significant struggles in maintaining consistent results over the course of the season. As a result, the move to VAR offers him a clean slate and a new opportunity to show his full potential.
Reflecting on a mixed 2025 season
Looking back at his rookie season in F3, Del Pino is the first to admit that there were plenty of ups and downs. He made progress in qualifying but found it difficult to turn that speed into consistent points finishes. Despite this, the Spanish driver remains optimistic about the lessons he learned in 2025 and is eager to apply them in 2026.
“For sure, super excited. Last season was a season with a lot of up and downs. I think I showed that the Qualifying pace that we had was really competitive. But I struggled a bit, especially on getting the points I thought I should have had,” he said.
Although his 2025 season did not meet his expectations in terms of points, Del Pino remains positive about the future. Reflecting on his overall experience, Del Pino is eager to build on his strengths while addressing the gaps that held him back.
A fresh start with VAR
When the opportunity arose to join Van Amersfoort Racing, Del Pino did not hesitate. The change of team offered him the chance to reset and re-focus on the new season, something he felt was crucial for his growth as a driver.
“But, when we got the offer from VAR, being able to make change in a kind of way, to reset a bit for next season, I didn’t think twice,” he explained.
The move to VAR has already proven to be the right decision, as Del Pino feels he has found a good fit with his new team.
“For sure, super excited. Last season was a season with a lot of up and downs. I think I showed that the Qualifying pace that we had was really competitive. But I struggled a bit, especially on getting the points I thought I should have had,” he added.
Insights from post-season testing
One of the first opportunities Del Pino had to get to know his new team came during the post-season testing sessions in November. Held at circuits in Jerez, Barcelona, and Imola, these tests were essential for Del Pino to familiarise himself with the car and the way Van Amersfoort Racing operates. Testing is always a critical part of pre-season preparation, and for Del Pino, the sessions provided vital insights into how the team functions and how he fits into the environment.
“Testing is really, really, really important, just to get a chance to see how the team is going to work throughout the winter, especially in the months after the tests, we’re basically not going to have track time up until February in Barcelona,” Del Pino explained.
During the post-season tests, Del Pino was consistently among the top 10, a result he was happy with, especially given the limited amount of track time available.
“So it was really good to know where we are at the moment, even though it’s not quite representative with what the other teams are doing. But to experience how everything is working, on track, with the teammates, it was really, really important for me,” he said.
He was also quick to praise the car and the team’s work. “The tests were quite positive, always within the top 10, everything worked way better than I expected. I know that the car is fast from last year, but also to see how the team works was for me, the most important factor.” Del Pino’s satisfaction with how the team operates bodes well for the 2026 season, as he feels that both the car and the environment at VAR will give him the tools needed to perform at his best.
Familiarity with the 2026 calendar
One of the advantages Del Pino has heading into the 2026 season is his familiarity with the majority of the tracks on the calendar. Having already raced at most of the venues, he feels better prepared for the challenges ahead. The 2026 calendar does feature one new track, Madrid, but overall, the familiarity with the circuits should help Del Pino hit the ground running.
“I think it’s really important not only knowing the tracks, but knowing how things are going to turn out. I remember in Melbourne, my first ever F3 Qualifying, things didn’t turn out really the way I wanted, because everything was really different to how I expected it,” Del Pino recalled, reflecting on one of his early struggles in F3. This time around, Del Pino feels that knowing what to expect will give him an edge in preparing for each race weekend.
Del Pino’s transition from Eurocup to F3 came with a steep learning curve, especially when it came to qualifying procedures. “Coming from Eurocup, it was a completely different approach to Qualifying. So knowing the tracks is going to be a plus,” he added. This newfound familiarity with the race format will help Del Pino refine his approach and avoid any surprises in 2026.
Managing competition in F3
Despite the advantages of knowing the tracks, Del Pino is aware that F3 remains a highly competitive series. With many talented drivers on the grid, each race will see fierce competition, especially in the opening rounds of the season.
“But all F3 drivers can be competitive quite an early stage in Free Practice, so everything’s going to be quite tight, but to have a bit of knowledge on how things are, I think it’s a key point,” Del Pino said. While the advantage of experience will help, he recognises that every driver will be pushing hard from the start, making consistency and strategy even more important as the season unfolds.
Winter focus: Preparing for 2026
As the winter break continues, Del Pino is shifting his focus to physical and mental preparation. With no track time until February, he will use the off-season to ensure that he’s fully ready for the challenges of 2026, working on his fitness, and staying sharp mentally.
“I’ll be working out, being mentally and physically prepared, probably a lot of travel, going to visit the team, that’s for sure,” Del Pino said.
Even without the ability to drive the car, Del Pino remains committed to ensuring he is as prepared as possible for the season ahead. Visiting the team, staying active, and keeping his mind focused will all be part of his routine.
“We cannot do much more because we cannot drive the car until February, but everything between now and then will be about getting as ready as possible for the start of the season. I will do everything it takes,” Del Pino concluded.
