Rodin Motorsport’s Pedro Clerot heads into the 2026 F3 season with determination and a clear vision of what he wants to achieve in his debut campaign with the team. The 19 year-old Brazilian steps up to FIA Formula 3 following a strong Formula Regional European Championship season, where he finished 4th in the Drivers’ Standings.
For the 2026 F3 season, Clerot will be the sole rookie at Rodin, partnering Christian Ho and Brando Badoer as both return to the F3 grid for a second shot at the title. Rodin fields a refreshed lineup this year after delivering the team’s best season to date, climbing to 6th in the Teams’ Standings from 8th the year before.
Speaking during a recent virtual media session, Clerot spoke to Pit Debrief and other media outlets ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.
A “race-by-race” mindset for Clerot in 2026
When Pit Debrief asked the Rodin trio about their expectations and what they aimed to achieve with the team this year, Clerot made his ambitions for the 2026 F3 season clear.
The 19 year-old said: “Well, I think first of all it’s just to build on what we’ve been having in testing. I think F3 is a very competitive championship and I’m looking forward to to actually starting to race. So my expectations, to be fair, I don’t have too many expectations.”
“I’m just trying to build on race by race, score like Christian [Ho] said, score points in the beginning of the year and then build on from that and then hopefully in the year fighting for for good positions and hopefully wins.”
During the pre-season test in Barcelona, Rodin completed 559 laps across the three days. Clerot finished 16th on the opening day, 29th on day two and 14th on the final day of running.
Big shoes to fill following Bortoleto and Câmara’s success in F3
In 2026, Brazilian fans will have the pleasure of seeing three of their talents race on Formula 1 weekends: Gabriel Bortoleto in F1, Rafael Câmara in F2 and Clerot in F3. With two of the last three Formula 3 Champions hailing from Brazil, the 19 year-old faces big shoes to fill following the success both Bortoleto and Câmara enjoyed during their time in the championship.
Clerot shared: “Well, I think being a Brazilian in F3 comes with a bit of pressure. You know especially after what Gabi [Bortoleto] and Rafa [Câmara] did. Coincidentally, I lived with Gabi in Milan, in the same apartment building for one and a half years once he was in F3, in his season before F2. So, I got some good advice with him and all the Brazilians we’re quite close.”
“I mean it’s always nice to be representing Brazil, you know I’m hoping to add on to the tally of good results. Of course it’s not easy, but yeah it’s a great honour to to represent Brazil and of course we talk a lot. I ask a lot for advice actually, you know having Rafa and Gabi as a reference it’s quite the job to beat. So anyway, I think it’s a good thing. But like I said, it comes a little bit of pressure but it’s always an honour to represent Brazil.”
