Bruno Del Pino began his second FIA Formula 3 Championship campaign by securing victory in the 2026 Melbourne F3 Sprint Race. The Spaniard delivered a controlled and measured performance, managing the race from start to finish and converting his opportunity into a win.
Importantly, the result represents a clear step forward compared to his rookie season. In 2025, Del Pino showed flashes of pace but struggled to consistently translate that speed into results. However, in Melbourne, he combined execution with composure, ensuring he maximised the conditions presented to him.
Moreover, winning the opening Sprint Race of the season places him firmly among the early performers in F3. It also reflects the work completed during the off-season, both in terms of preparation and adaptation to a new team environment.
Del Pino approaches 2026 F3 season with confidence built on experience
Del Pino approaches his second F3 season with a noticeably different mindset. Rather than focusing solely on raw performance, he has placed greater emphasis on applying the lessons learned throughout his rookie campaign. This shift has helped him build confidence grounded in experience.
“I feel really confident this season,” he said to Formula 3. “I think we can do a good job and it’s just taking the things I’ve learned from last year and trying to apply them.
In this context, Del Pino highlighted the importance of learning from previous situations, particularly those where results did not reflect his potential. By refining his decision-making and race management, he aims to operate at a higher level throughout the season.
“So I think it’s going to be a strong year for me. Nothing is certain, I feel confident after the first race in Melbourne. From there, we’ll just continue to work hard and then we’ll see what the end result is.”
Focused physical preparation ahead of sophomore season
Alongside this more experienced and measured approach, Del Pino has also made clear changes to his preparation away from the track. He placed a strong emphasis on physical preparation ahead of the 2026 F3 season, ensuring he met the demands of a long and intense campaign. Throughout the pre-season period, he committed significant time to improving his fitness, endurance and overall conditioning, recognising the importance of being fully prepared before arriving at the circuit.
“I’ve been working out a lot with my trainers. I’m in a high-performance centre. It’s been from nine to three every day. That has been quite a part of my life, just trying to maximise everything that I can do off track to be the best inside of the car.
Del Pino embarks on fresh start with Van Amersfoort Racing for 2026 F3 campaign
Beyond physical training, Del Pino also prioritised technical preparation and team integration. He spent extensive time at the team’s headquarters, working closely with engineers and mechanics to build a strong working relationship.
“I’ve also spent a lot of time at the Van Amersfoort headquarters on the sim, being with the engineers, with the mechanics, trying to build a closer relationship at the start of the season so we can bond really well together. And I think we have done. Everything that I could have done away from the track, I think I’ve been done.
This approach reflects a deliberate effort to ensure alignment across all aspects of performance. Establishing clear communication and trust within the team has been a central part of his preparation.
“I’ve been enjoying it since the first day I came here. The philosophy is really good. It’s a bit different from what I’ve had before. It’s a really professional team. So I think hopefully the season is going to show that based on the results.
He also acknowledged the differences in team philosophy, noting how the environment has contributed positively to his adaptation.
“I think also we built a great lineup. Looking at last year, when we analysed things, we were pretty close to P3. So I think this year we can aim for the top three in the Championship.”
In addition, Del Pino pointed to the team’s previous performance as a benchmark, highlighting their proximity to the top positions in the standings last year.
Learning from rookie mistakes
Reflecting on his debut season, Del Pino addressed the areas where he fell short. He identified mistakes and missed opportunities as key factors that limited his overall results in 2025.
“Last year was not my strongest year. There were many things I could have improved so this year is about not making the mistakes I was last year in order to maximise the points.
He emphasised that reducing these errors forms a central objective for the current season. By improving consistency and execution, he aims to ensure that strong performances translate into points.
“Many rookie drivers come to F3 and, even though they’re really good, there are going to be some mistakes. And I think that I need to use my experience and try to take advantage of that. But as I say, every driver that comes to F3 comes prepared.”
Furthermore, he acknowledged the competitive nature of F3, where all drivers arrive with strong preparation and capability. In this context, experience becomes a valuable factor in managing race situations more effectively.
A strong start to the 2026 F3 season
In summary, Del Pino’s victory in Melbourne marks a positive and structured beginning to his second season in F3. His preparation during the off-season, combined with experience gained in 2025 and his integration into a new team, has contributed directly to this result.
He continues the campaign with an early win already secured and a clear focus on maintaining consistency, applying lessons learned, and working closely with his team across each round.
