As he prepares for his rookie season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with AIX Racing, Fernando “Fefo” Barrichello is drawing on his years of experience in various racing categories, including his recent success in the 2024 Euroformula Open. Barrichello, who made the move to Formula 3 after a solid season in Euroformula, shared his thoughts on teamwork, mental resilience, and the final preparations for the 2026 F3 season in a pre-season press conference attended by Pit Debrief.
Barrichello highlights the importance of teamwork at AIX Racing ahead of 2026 F3 campaign
Having raced alongside his AIX Racing teammates Brad Benavides and Yevan David in the 2024 Euroformula Open, Barrichello has developed a strong sense of camaraderie within the team. Their shared experiences have fostered an environment of mutual support and open communication, which Barrichello believes will be essential for success in Formula 3. Barichello explained this while responding to a question from Pit Debrief.
“I agree. I think we’ve been, like, I’ve been teaming with the two boys for almost three years now. So it’s actually crazy that we’ve been sort of on this journey together. And sometimes we joke that I can’t take it anymore, I really need some space with these two guys.”
Barrichello, known for his sense of humour, highlights the long-standing bond between himself and his teammates, making it clear that their journey has been anything but short-lived.
“But it’s been really good and sometimes we actually share more information than I was maybe used to with other teammates. I mean, we’ve been driving together for so long. Sometimes they share some information and I’m like, ‘wow, okay, so we’re actually helping each other,’ so I think that’s very good.”
Benavides’ experience an asset as preparations for 2026 proceed
This collaboration has been crucial, particularly given the fast-paced nature of F3, where tight communication can be the difference between success and failure. Barrichello points to the benefit of Brad Benavides’ experience, noting that the team can learn a great deal from his knowledge of various tracks.
“I think that environment that the team has built for us, the work, has been very good and we’ve been actually able to really help each other. And with Brad’s experience, we can really benefit from that. And so a lot of the tracks that we’re going to, he’s been already. So that, yeah, that really helps. And having the tips from him and having a humble guy that doesn’t mind sharing some help is always very, very beneficial.”
Barrichello’s praise for Benavides reflects a sense of gratitude and mutual respect within the team, a key factor that will help them work towards common goals in the upcoming season.
Barrichello highlights mental preparation as a key focus
With the start of the 2026 season just weeks away, Barrichello has turned his attention to the mental challenges that come with racing in F3. Although physical preparation is important, he believes that the ability to cope with the mental pressures of a demanding racing season is equally crucial for success.
“To be honest, I feel like we just finished the preseason testing and I think it was very positive. We were able to test various different stuff and scenarios, which I think is very important in F3, just we have very little track time. So understanding what needs to be done and being prepared for that is very important.”
Barrichello is aware of the limited track time F3 drivers have, particularly during the initial race weekends. The ability to adapt quickly and efficiently will be essential for the team as they face each new challenge. However, Barrichello highlighted that his mental preparation is just as important, especially when it comes to dealing with unexpected situations.
“And for me personally, I feel like it really comes down a lot to the mental side, being prepared mentally to endure the challenges that will come. I think it’s not an if, but like when the challenges will come and what sort of things that we’re not expecting to happen will happen.”
Barrichello and AIX Racing preparing for the Melbourne challenge as the 2026 F3 season gets underway
As Barrichello looks ahead to the first race of the 2026 season in Melbourne, he acknowledges the unknowns that come with racing at a new circuit. As Barrichello has never raced in Australia before, he faces limited time to familiarise himself with the Melbourne track. This makes mental preparation even more critical.
“Yeah, we won’t have a lot of track time. I’ve never been to Australia, for example, so we’re only going to have a couple of laps before qualifying. So I feel like being prepared mentally and really visualising what’s able to happen and just going over the challenges and maximising the most possible from the weekend. So I feel like a lot comes down to mental preparation.”
The uncertainty of a new track, combined with limited time to learn it before qualifying, drives Barrichello to visualise potential scenarios and stay ready for whatever the weekend brings. This mental preparedness is something he believes will help him maximise his performance in what will be a highly competitive environment.
As the season approaches, Barrichello has turned his focus on overcoming the mental challenges of racing, especially when facing unexpected situations and new circuits. With the lessons learned from pre-season testing and his emphasis on mental readiness, Barrichello is ready to face the demands of F3 and help AIX Racing achieve success in 2026.
