Rodrigo Gonzalez made his European racing debut during the 2025 season, stepping into the GB3 Championship with plenty of ambition and a wealth of experience from his time racing in the United States. His transition to the demanding world of European single-seater racing, however, proved to be both a challenge and an opportunity for growth. Joining Chris Dittmann Racing initially, and later switching to VRD Racing to join his brother Patricio for the final three rounds, Gonzalez faced a steep learning curve but gained valuable experience that will shape his future in motorsport.
A challenging start in GB3
Speaking to GB3 Championship, Gonzalez acknowledged the challenges he faced when stepping into the competitive environment of GB3, especially given the high level of power and downforce in the cars. As a driver with a successful background in US-based series like the USF Juniors and the Yacademy Winter Series, he had experience on his side—but the shift to Europe required adaptation.
“Coming to race in GB3 was definitely a challenge,” he said. “Before arriving at Silverstone, I had never driven a car with downforce or this level of power, and I hadn’t tested at any European circuits.”
This lack of familiarity with both the car and the tracks, combined with the fierce competition in GB3, meant that Gonzalez had to play catch-up. But despite these hurdles, his determination remained steadfast.
“We knew it would be a difficult transition, especially adapting to new tracks and a different racing environment, but it was an important step for my development,” he reflected. This commitment to learning would pay off as the season progressed.
Overcoming the odds and finding momentum
Rodrigo’s debut event at Silverstone gave him a solid foundation, where he managed to score points in each race. The experience helped him adjust to the new environment, but he quickly realised that he couldn’t adapt to European tracks overnight.
It was at Brands Hatch that Gonzalez truly began to show signs of his potential. Despite having limited track time on the full GP circuit, he impressed with his pace. “I didn’t really get the opportunity to perform at the level I expected from myself this year,” he admitted. “But one positive was my pace at Brands Hatch, considering how little track time I had on the full GP circuit. That weekend showed progress in the right areas.”
The power of teamwork: A sibling partnership
Gonzalez’s GB3 journey became even more significant with the arrival of his brother Patricio at VRD Racing. The siblings, both competitive and determined to succeed, formed a unique dynamic as teammates. It was a historic moment for the series as the Gonzalez brothers became the first sibling pairing to compete together in GB3.
Reflecting on their time working together, Gonzalez shared: “For both my brother and me, the targets were simple: get comfortable with the car and learn the circuits. We changed the way we approached each weekend—from preparation to workouts to how we handled our debriefs. The focus was on building a solid base for the future.”
The bond between the brothers extended beyond the racetrack. They helped each other adjust to the European racing environment, pushing one another to grow. “We train together, prepare together, and push each other. We’re competitive, but in a way that helps both of us improve,” said Rodrigo. “We work well as teammates on and off the track.”
Looking ahead to a confident return in 2026
With the 2025 season drawing to a close, Rodrigo has already begun preparing for the future. Despite not achieving the results he initially hoped for, he has gained invaluable experience that will help him approach a potential return to GB3 in 2026 with greater confidence.
“If I returned to GB3 in 2026, I’d be much better prepared,” Gonzalez stated firmly. “Knowing the circuits already would give me more confidence and allow me to focus fully on performance instead of learning.” This preparation, he believes, will enable him to be competitive from the outset of the new season.
“The target would be to start the season at a competitive level and keep building from there,” he concluded.
