Pedro Clerot continued his strong run of form at Spa-Francorchamps, securing his third podium of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 (F3) season in the Sprint Race.
The Rodin Motorsport driver started from the front row but slipped behind eventual winner Jin Nakamura at the start, with Brando Badoer completing a double podium for the team.
Speaking in the FIA Formula 3 post-Sprint Race press conference, attended by Pit Debrief, Clerot reflected on his third podium of the season and his continued search for a maiden victory.
“It feels nice. We had a decent race starting from P2. I didn’t have a very good start and had to defend immediately into T1, which compromised my run into T5. I had to defend from Mattia [Colnaghi], and then Jin [Nakamura] managed to have a really good start and overtook him on the outside and was already really close to me.
“So yeah, very difficult to overtake. I think that I had maybe more pace available than what I could show, but still decent points. We’ve been on a streak of points, that’s the main thing to keep the momentum.
“Obviously, starting P6 tomorrow, I’m looking forward to coming forward. I think we have the pace to do it, but just happy to be on the podium again, especially in Spa. Such a good track.”
Strong podium streak
The F3 Spa-Francorchamps Sprint Race result extended Clerot’s podium tally to three for the season, but the Rodin driver is still waiting for his first FIA Formula 3 victory.
With the Feature Race set to use new tyres and Clerot starting from sixth, he believes the opportunity is there to finally take the next step.
“I mean, I think for sure we have the pace. We have the new tyres also tomorrow. So for sure, I think we can do a good job. We can fine tune a few things that were not, I think, good enough in the race today.
“But still, we have very good guys fighting at the front. But yeah, I think the podium streak is a good thing. We’re showing that we have potential to be there. The win is just a matter of time.
“I know for sure today was a good opportunity, maybe a wasted one, but still it’s good points. It’s another podium and everything adds up in the end of the season. So I’m being patient. I think our time will come eventually. But yeah, just happy to be stepping on the podium again.”
Rodin Motorsport’s double podium at Spa
Clerot’s result also helped Rodin Motorsport secure a double podium at a circuit where the team has historically enjoyed strong results.
With Badoer finishing second, the team continued its impressive form around Spa-Francorchamps, although Clerot believes the result was the product of more than simply the circuit suiting the car.
“Yeah, I mean, obviously, this historically has been a very strong track for Rodin and also in F2. So, yeah, specifically what is, I don’t know what to say, but I think we’ve been doing a good job also on the driving side.
“We immediately were very quick in free practice with the three cars. You know, I was P3 and took my lap, got deleted. But still, I think we were showing that we, you know, lately, not also here but also in other tracks, we’ve been very fast and able to fight at the front.
“So, I don’t think there’s a specific thing. I think, like Brando said, the team is working very hard week in and week out to give us the best possible car and strategy and everything for us.
“So, for sure, I think everything clicked here. But we’ve been showing this already for quite some time. So, just happy to be, you know, converting this strong weekend for us into a double podium for the team.”
Clerot’s 2026 F3 rookie season
Clerot’s 2026 season has been a mixture of strong results and missed opportunities.
The Brazilian has already shown that he has the pace to fight at the front, but consistency has been one of the main areas he has been working to improve during his rookie campaign.
When asked by Pit Debrief about what the result at Spa-Francorchamps meant for him in his rookie season, Clerot said as much as podiums are great, everyone at the end of the day is fighting for the victory.
“Yeah, I think obviously it means a lot for me in my rookie season to be fighting at the front already, also sprint races and feature races, and showing strong qualifying results.
“Obviously, it hasn’t been the most consistent season for me. I had a lot of ups and downs, and I think that’s the main thing I’m trying to work on myself and together with the team to have a more consistent year.
“And I think once we are there inside the top 12, we have very good results, like in Red Bull Ring, coming with a podium and a P4 in the feature, coming from P10.
“Obviously, it means a lot to be in the podium and to really show that we are capable of producing good results together with the team. But I’m also, like Brando said, trying to fight for wins. I’m not here to be second place or third place.
“We’re here to win, and that’s the main goal. So yeah, I think for sure we need a little bit more consistency, but it means a lot to already be in this position and fighting for good positions, and in the end fighting for a decent result also in the championship.”
Sunday’s F3 Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps
Clerot will start Sunday’s Feature Race from sixth and believes the opening lap could prove crucial in determining whether he can fight for victory.
With overtaking proving difficult during F3 Spa-Francorchamps Sprint Race, Clerot is also expecting tyre degradation to play a greater role over the longer distance.
“Yeah, I think also the start will be the main thing. Good decisions in the first lap will always set you up for a good race. I think that’s the main thing I’ve learned from F3 this year also.
“So yeah, just looking forward to have a good start, and we’re going to fine-tune the car a little bit towards the conditions I think are the best and what I think will be needed for tomorrow together with the team.
“But for sure it will be a little bit more difficult to overtake than we thought, but with no safety cars I’m expecting also a lot more degradation on the tyres, and immediately that factor kicks in, and then everything changes, you know.
“So yeah, just looking forward, focused for the race tomorrow, but also enjoying the moment right now.”
With three podiums already secured, Clerot knows that his next step is clear.
The Rodin driver has shown he can fight at the front, but with another strong starting position for Sunday’s Feature Race, he will be hoping Spa-Francorchamps can finally be the weekend where he converts that pace into a maiden FIA Formula 3 victory.
