Patricio Gonzalez became one of several new drivers to step into GB3 during the 2025 season, joining VRD Racing’s growing roster alongside his brother Rodrigo and Thai talent Enzo Tarnvanichkul. The Mexican teenager arrived with a background rooted entirely in American racing, having launched his karting career only in 2022. His jump into Europe’s most demanding junior single-seater environment marked a bold new chapter, one he embraced with unmistakable excitement.
He described his first impression vividly: “It was an amazing experience racing in Europe, especially on iconic tracks like Monza. Everything felt new and exciting, and I really enjoyed every moment of it.”
Adapting to a new racing culture
Gonzalez’s move from the American racing ecosystem to Europe required rapid adjustment. He encountered different starting procedures, new circuit styles, alternative car characteristics, and unfamiliar sporting regulations. The contrast between continents pushed him to expand his skills quickly and absorb information at a demanding pace.
“It was definitely a big challenge coming from the USA because everything is very different; the race starts, the tracks, the car, and even some of the regulations. It took time to adapt, but it was a great learning process.”
Steady improvements across four events
The 17-year-old made his GB3 debut at Silverstone as the second half of the season began. Despite limited preparation, he reduced the performance gap with each session. By the end of his four-round stint, he had positioned himself comfortably within the heavily contested midfield, achieving a best qualifying result of seventh and a top race finish of sixth.
Gonzalez took a purposeful approach to these outings, focusing on development rather than results: “My target during the last four races was to learn as much as possible: the tracks, the car, and the overall racecraft in Europe. I focused on gaining experience so I can come back stronger in future years, and I feel like I achieved that.”
Donington Park delivers a breakthrough
The penultimate event of the season at Donington Park became a standout moment in Gonzalez’s first GB3 campaign. His improvements throughout the year culminated in his strongest qualifying and race performances, showcasing consistency under pressure and composure in wheel-to-wheel combat.
He reflected proudly on the weekend: “I feel I performed very well at Donington Park, especially in Qualifying 2 and Race 2. It was my best result of the season, and I managed to hold my position even without having the strongest pace. Staying calm and consistent made the difference.”
The performance helped establish Gonzalez as a driver with the adaptability and resilience required to succeed in Europe’s competitive junior ranks.
A historic sibling partnership
Gonzalez added another layer of significance to his season by forming the first sibling pairing in GB3 history alongside his brother Rodrigo. Their presence brought a new dimension to the paddock and gave both drivers a unique support system during a challenging year.
Patricio spoke warmly about sharing the grid with his brother: “It was an amazing experience to share those moments with my brother.”
He went on to highlight how valuable and memorable the season felt for both of them: “Being able to race together and celebrate our achievements is something very special, and I’m grateful for it.”
Building towards a stronger 2026 campaign
As 2026 approaches, Gonzalez continues testing with VRD Racing at circuits across the UK and Europe. Each lap strengthens his confidence and deepens his understanding of the car and its demands. He believes that the accumulated experience will position him far more competitively if he returns to GB3 next season. He summarised his expectations with optimism:
“I feel I’ll be much more confident arriving at each event already knowing the tracks and having more experience with the car. That should allow me to focus on performance from the start and hopefully move my way up toward the front of the field.”
With an encouraging debut behind him and a growing foundation of European experience, Gonzalez stands poised to convert his early promise into genuine front-running form in 2026.
