AIX Racing Team Manager Kenny Kirwan expressed satisfaction with his team’s Barcelona pre-season efforts, highlighting the importance of getting the drivers up to speed ahead of the 2026 F3 season. With a successful test at Barcelona, Kirwan believes the team is in a good position as they prepare for the first race in Melbourne.
Productive 2026 F3 pre-season testing in Barcelona for AIX Racing
AIX Racing completed a solid 513 laps across the Barcelona test, giving the team ample time to refine their setup and gather important data for the upcoming season. While testing can often be unpredictable, the team’s progression in testing pleased Kirwan. On the morning of Day 2, Brad Benavides clocked a competitive 1:27.471, finishing sixth, just over four-tenths off the fastest time.
“I think it’s been a productive outing,” said Kirwan. “We’ve managed to tick off a lot of things from our run plan and our objectives.”
The team spent the first day of the test shaking everything down, as they had not been operational for some time. Kirwan emphasised the importance of getting all the drivers, particularly Benavides and Fernando Barrichello, back into the rhythm after months away from the car.
“Day one really was just shaking everything down again. It’s been a while since the team has been out operationally and the drivers, particularly Brad and Fefo [Barrichello], they haven’t driven a car for a number of months.”
Despite the challenge of knocking off the rust, Kirwan noted that Benavides had been consistently on pace, which was exactly what the team had expected.
“But we’re pretty satisfied. Brad’s always been there or thereabouts, as we would have expected really.”
Developing consistency the focus for the AIX Racing rookies
A significant focus for AIX Racing in 2026 is helping their rookies, Yevan David and Fernando Barrichello, adapt to the demands of Formula 3. David completed 159 laps, while Barrichello did 187 laps during the test. For Kirwan, one of the key aspects of their development is ensuring they stay consistent and manage the pressure of racing in such a competitive environment.
“I think consistency is really key and it’s one area that for sure they both need to be on top of and to manage.” Kirwan said. “Hence, why we are regrouping before Melbourne, just making sure that sort of discipline, attention to detail and consistency is something that we can call upon.”
To ensure they are ready for the season opener, the team will rely heavily on their simulator sessions to help the drivers fine-tune their skills and discipline. Kirwan explained that although improvement would take time, the team was confident they could get both rookies up to speed.
“We’ll use the simulator to help manage that along, and then we will hopefully be in a decent place. But it’s not an overnight thing.”
AIX staying focused on their own plan after “great” 2026 F3 Barcelona testing
With the competition in F3 being as tight as ever, Kirwan acknowledged the importance of keeping an eye on their rivals but emphasised that AIX Racing would not become distracted by other teams. Testing provides valuable insight. However, the team is focusing on qualifying at Melbourne, where the real challenge will begin.
“I mean, testing is obviously great,” he said. “However, it is qualifying in Melbourne that’s going to dictate a lot of it.”
Kirwan explained that the team cannot fully know what the others are doing during testing, especially with the flexibility in timing when teams go out. However, while keeping an eye on the competition is important, he believes the focus should always be on AIX Racing’s own development and procedures.
“It’s a super competitive championship with really strong teams and really strong drivers. So it would be foolish not to. But at the same time, we can’t get distracted by others, by what other people are doing.”
The AIX Racing team has its own strategy and has been sticking to it. Kirwan strongly believes that their disciplined approach, alongside their commitment to consistency, will ultimately pay off.
“So we stick to our plan. We take away what we can from it. But I believe at the end of the day, if we’re disciplined, if we go through all the procedures as a team operationally and with the drivers, that consistency really will always pay off.”
Minimising mistakes and maximising opportunities critical for 2026
For AIX Racing, consistency and minimising mistakes are the central themes heading into the 2026 season. Kirwan stressed that, while the team needs to remain focused on their own performance, there will always be opportunities to capitalise on others’ mistakes.
“That and minimising mistakes, maximising from other people’s mistakes, and just taking advantage, basically, of the form,” Kirwan explained.
Looking ahead, Kirwan acknowledged that the middle part of the season, especially June and July, would be crucial. With back-to-back heavy months, staying consistent during these periods could make or break the championship bid.
“For sure, in the middle of the season, we have June and July, which are big, big, heavy months. I think consistency in those periods of time, if you’re behind the curve there, the majority of the championship is in two months.”
The team is determined not to fall behind during this critical period, and Kirwan is confident that their focus on consistency will be key to their success.
“So if you’re behind the curve, it’s going to bite you. So a big, big push for us is just consistency.”
