Bruno del Pino had a very successful Round 1 of the 2026 FIA F3 season in Melbourne. The Spanish driver drove to victory in the Sprint Race and started his second season in F3 with a flying start.
The Feature Race saw him reach the chequered flag in P4 and take another point for the fastest lap. Currently in the 2026 F3 season, he is P2 in the Drivers’ Standings after the Melbourne Round.
A confidence boost for del Pino
The Sprint Race saw del Pino start from reverse-grid pole, and with a good launch off the line, he delivered a superb performance. The Melbourne Sprint Race saw the Van Amersfoort Racing duo secure a 1-2 finish, starting the season on a high note for the team. The composed and determined drive led to his maiden Formula 3 victory. As the next race is not until June, the drivers have had a long break between the first two rounds.
Speaking with F3 about the break, del Pino reflected:
“It has been a bit boring because I haven’t touched the car since Melbourne. But I’ve just been training to put myself in a good situation heading into the European campaign. So, very excited.“
“It’s been a confidence boost, though, all this time that we have been without racing. You have a bad weekend in Melbourne, then you have all of the negativity to deal with, but since we did a good job and I think we’re doing quite good so far, it’s just been quite positive.“
“I’m quite confident heading towards the European campaign. So, with the team, we’ve been just working hard like before the start of the season. Now it’s about keeping it that way.”
While the break has been long, the VAR driver remains confident for the next leg and hopes the team can maintain their strong momentum.
Trying to keep the rhythm from Monaco onwards
Before the next round takes place in Monaco, the F3 drivers are set for an in-season test around Spielberg, close to the end of May. Del Pino admitted that he has not driven the car since Australia, making Monaco, the next race, immensely difficult. As the Monte Carlo circuit is known for its narrow streets, which allow little room for error, jumping into an F3 car before then would be hugely beneficial.
“For me, it’s very, very important because I haven’t done a test, and I haven’t touched a car since Melbourne. So, going into Monaco straight without testing will be basically like an impossible.“
“But because I have the chance to drive in Austria, I’m just going to make full use to try and get back into the rhythm, trying to push to the limit in Monaco. Once the season restarts in Monaco, a whole bunch of rounds then come.“
“Trying to do the job from Monaco onwards will be about trying to keep a rhythm, to be consistent. Because we have basically the entire calendar compressed into two months, it’s very important that we can maximise everything and just be on a good rhythm, try not to make mistakes and try and maximise the points every weekend.”
The VAR driver’s attitude heading into the rest of the season is crucial. While Melbourne was a success, everything can change in the blink of an eye in Formula 3. If del Pino and the team manage to maintain a steady rhythm throughout the next rounds, it could very well shape the rest of their season.
Del Pino: “I think we can be at the front.”
While it is still very early in the season and eight rounds remain, starting with a win is always a good confidence boost. The young driver revealed that he believes VAR can be fighting at the front. The Spaniard reflected on the team’s work, saying that everyone is doing a good job. If they keep up the hard work and everything comes together, this could be an amazing F3 season for del Pino and VAR.
“I think we can be at the front. Of course, it’s early to say that, we’ve only had one round and there are very, very good teams with very, very good drivers. They’re going to make it difficult, but I think we’re doing a good job.“
“The engineers and all the staff are also doing a good job. So it’s just putting the car in a good spot, the lap together in qualifying and then trying to maximise every single opportunity we have because the championship is very tight, and it comes to you in the details.”
