Brando Badoer enters the 2026 FIA F3 season with renewed determination and a fresh start at Rodin Motorsport. Speaking during a press conference attended by Pit Debrief, the Italian outlined his ambitions ahead of the new campaign.
Speaking during a press conference attended by Pit Debrief, the Italian outlined his ambitions ahead of the new campaign.
After a challenging 2025 season with PREMA Racing, where he finished 24th in the standings, Badoer has switched to Rodin Motorsport for 2026. He will line up alongside Pedro Clerot and Christian Ho as part of the team’s new-look driver line-up.
Badoer aiming to fight at the front with Rodin Motorsport in 2026 F3 Championship
When asked by Pit Debrief about his expectations for the upcoming season, Badoer made his objectives clear: he wants to fight at the sharp end of the field in what remains one of the most competitive junior single-seater categories.
“I think the goal is to fight at the top, you know, F3 is a very competitive championship,” Badoer stated. “It’s not easy to be always up there, but I think the goal would be to be at the top in every race week and then yeah maximise the results together with the team.”
The Italian acknowledged the intensity and unpredictability of F3, stressing that consistency will be crucial. Rather than targeting isolated strong results, Badoer aims to establish himself as a regular front-runner throughout the season.
Badoer on off-season preparation methods
Badoer also addressed the challenge of staying race-ready during F3’s extended winter break. With several months between on-track outings, maintaining peak performance requires discipline and structure.
“You know, it’s a lot of months without driving a car, without driving the F3 car and [you] need to be always, you know, ready to drive the car again,” he noted. “So it’s not easy to, you know, stay so many months without driving but there’s a lot of gym work, simulator work, karting days and, you know, days driving other cars.”
He emphasised that much of a driver’s work happens away from public view. Continuous physical training, simulator sessions, and seat time in alternative machinery are all essential to ensuring sharpness when pre-season testing begins.
“I think this is this is what’s behind, you know, our lives in those months where you don’t see us. We are always working to be ready you know for when we are gonna get the chance to drive the car again and, yeah, this is the way we do it.“
Badoer addresses split from McLaren Driver Development Programme
Badoer also confirmed his departure from the McLaren Driver Development Programme ahead of the 2026 season. Having joined the programme in 2024, the Italian described the split as amicable.
“We were just not aligned for the future, so we decided to part ways,” Badoer explained. “Of course, I’m grateful for McLaren for the help in the last couple of years, learned a lot working with them, and it’s definitely a valuable experience for my future.”
While no longer affiliated with a major academy, Badoer remains focused on delivering results with Rodin Motorsport. With a fresh environment and clear objectives, he is determined to maximise his opportunities in 2026.
“Now, yeah, I’m gonna continue in my way and let’s see what we’re up for for the future,” Badoer added.
Badoer’s expectations for the 2026 F3 season centre on consistent top results with Rodin Motorsport. Combined with Rodin Motorsport’s technical capabilities, the Italian believes he has the tools to mount a far more competitive campaign this year.
