Campos Racing has confirmed that Mexican driver Ernesto Rivera will remain with the team for the 2027 FIA Formula 3 (F3) Championship, extending a partnership that has continued throughout his single-seater career. The Red Bull Junior Team driver will contest his second season in the category after securing two victories and three podium finishes during an impressive rookie campaign in 2026.
Rivera finished seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 87 points despite missing the opening round in Melbourne due to injury. His performances included victories at Spielberg and Spa-Francorchamps, while his contribution helped Campos Racing secure a second consecutive Teams’ Championship alongside Ugo Ugochukwu and Théophile Naël.
The announcement confirms that Rivera will remain with the Spanish outfit for a fourth consecutive year, having first joined Campos Racing in 2024. He becomes the team’s second confirmed driver for 2027, joining Colombian Ferrari Driver Academy member Salim Hanna as the reigning champions prepare to defend their titles.
Rivera extends long-standing partnership with Campos Racing
Rivera’s confirmation continues a successful relationship with Campos Racing that began when he made his single-seater debut in 2024. Following several seasons in international karting, the Mexican joined the Spanish outfit for the Formula Winter Series before progressing into the Spanish F4 Championship. His first full campaign produced a maiden single-seater victory and fifth place in the Drivers’ Championship, establishing a promising foundation for his subsequent development.
His performances also attracted the attention of Red Bull, which welcomed him into its Junior Team programme during the same year. The partnership provided additional support as Rivera continued his progression through the European junior single-seater categories, with Campos remaining central to his racing programme.
Rivera subsequently moved into Eurocup-3 for 2025, continuing with Campos Racing as he adapted to more powerful machinery and a higher level of competition. He secured three victories and seven podium finishes, finishing fourth in the championship standings after regularly challenging the leading contenders. The campaign demonstrated his growing consistency and racecraft, strengthening his prospects of progressing further up the single-seater ladder.
His performances earned him a promotion to FIA F3 for 2026, allowing him to continue working with the same team for a third consecutive season. Campos selected Rivera alongside Ugochukwu and Naël, creating a competitive line-up as the Spanish outfit prepared to defend the Teams’ Championship it had secured in 2025.
The latest contract extension will allow Rivera to build on that continuity, entering 2027 with established relationships across the team’s engineering and operational departments. Having progressed through Formula 4, Eurocup-3 and F3 with Campos, he will begin his second championship campaign with a considerably stronger understanding of both the machinery and the demands of the category.
Injury disrupts preparations for 2026 F3 rookie campaign
Rivera’s introduction to FIA F3 proved considerably more difficult than anticipated after he sustained a back injury during the final round of the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy in New Zealand. The setback interrupted his preparations for the 2026 season and forced him to miss official pre-season testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, significantly reducing his opportunities to familiarise himself with the championship’s machinery.
Campos Racing subsequently selected Patrick Heuzenroeder to replace Rivera during pre-season testing, allowing the Mexican to continue his recovery. However, his condition also prevented him from competing in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, forcing him to delay his F3 debut while the rest of the field gained valuable competitive experience.
Despite being unable to race, Rivera remained involved in the team’s preparations through simulator work, data analysis and engineering debriefs. Maintaining that involvement allowed him to develop his technical understanding of the car, although it could not fully compensate for the track time he had lost.
The injury also presented considerable physical challenges. Rivera later revealed that he had lost approximately six kilograms of muscle during his recovery, making the process of rebuilding his fitness particularly demanding before his eventual return. Nevertheless, he continued working towards his debut and remained determined to recover the opportunities lost during the opening months of the season.
His return eventually came at Monaco in June, where he immediately demonstrated competitive pace despite his limited preparation. Rivera qualified among the leading contenders and finished fifth in the Feature Race, delivering an encouraging result at one of the championship’s most demanding circuits.
The performance provided an early indication of his potential, particularly given the difficulties he had encountered before reaching the grid. Although his recovery had delayed his introduction to F3, Rivera quickly established himself as a competitive member of the Campos line-up.
Spielberg victory marks first major breakthrough
Rivera’s first major success arrived during the Austrian Grand Prix weekend at Spielberg, where he secured his maiden F3 victory in the Sprint Race. Having qualified 11th, the Mexican benefited from the reversed-grid format to start second alongside PREMA Racing’s James Wharton, creating an opportunity to challenge for the lead.
Wharton maintained his advantage during the opening stages, but Rivera remained close as the two drivers battled at the front. Although interruptions briefly disrupted his progress, the Campos driver continued applying pressure before executing a decisive overtake at Turn 4 to take the lead.
Rivera subsequently controlled the closing stages to secure his first victory in FIA F3, completing an impressive turnaround following the injury that had disrupted his preparations. The result also meant that all three Campos drivers had secured at least one victory during the 2026 season, reinforcing the team’s competitiveness across its line-up.
The Spielberg success marked an important milestone in Rivera’s development, demonstrating his ability to challenge more experienced competitors and manage the pressure of competing for victory. Although he endured a more difficult Feature Race the following day, his Sprint performance established him as a driver capable of regularly fighting near the front.
His progress continued at Silverstone, where he again demonstrated competitive race pace despite encountering further setbacks. Rivera remained involved in several close battles throughout the weekend, using the experience to improve his understanding of tyre management and race execution.
These lessons became increasingly important as the season progressed, particularly when the championship returned to circuits where tyre degradation could significantly influence the outcome of longer races.
Spa-Francorchamps Feature Race win confirms Rivera’s potential
Rivera secured his second victory just three weeks after Spielberg, delivering another impressive performance during the Belgian Grand Prix Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps. Starting fourth, the Mexican remained patient during the opening stages before progressively moving through the leading group as the race developed.
The Campos driver overtook Tuukka Taponen and Hiyu Yamakoshi before closing on race leader Freddie Slater. Having managed his tyres effectively during the opening half of the contest, Rivera capitalised on his stronger pace to move ahead of the Trident driver and take control of the race.
He subsequently extended his advantage, escaping DRS range and preventing his rivals from mounting another challenge. Rivera crossed the line ahead of Yamakoshi and Slater, securing his maiden Feature Race victory and becoming a two-time winner in his rookie FIA F3 campaign.
The result represented another significant step in his development, particularly after he had identified tyre management and longer race stints as areas requiring improvement. His performance demonstrated greater control over race pace and tyre degradation, allowing him to convert a competitive starting position into a commanding victory.
Rivera’s success also strengthened Campos Racing’s position in the Teams’ Championship, particularly as Ugochukwu and Naël endured a more difficult weekend. The Mexican contributed the team’s Feature Race victory points and moved into the top five of the Drivers’ standings, continuing an impressive recovery after missing the opening round.
His momentum carried into the following weekend at Budapest, where he secured third in the Sprint Race behind teammate Naël and ART Grand Prix’s Kanato Le. The result brought his season total to two victories and three podium finishes, further demonstrating his ability to compete consistently against the championship’s leading drivers.
Rivera finishes seventh as Campos secures championship double
Rivera remained involved in the battle for a leading championship position during the second half of 2026, entering the final round at Madrid with an opportunity to finish among the top three in the Drivers’ standings. His recovery from injury had placed him within reach of several more experienced competitors, although the points lost through his Melbourne absence continued to influence his championship position.
However, the season finale proved challenging as Rivera struggled to convert his opportunities into the results necessary to maintain his position in the standings. He ultimately finished seventh with 87 points, concluding his rookie season behind several competitors who had contested the complete campaign.
Despite the disappointment, his overall performance represented a considerable achievement given the circumstances surrounding his debut. Rivera secured two victories and three podiums while competing across eight of the championship’s nine rounds, demonstrating competitive pace despite the disadvantage created by his disrupted preparations.
His contribution also proved important to Campos Racing’s championship success. The Spanish outfit secured its second consecutive Teams’ Championship with 334 points, finishing 117 ahead of Trident after another dominant campaign.
Meanwhile, Ugochukwu claimed the Drivers’ Championship following a dramatic final round in Madrid, completing a historic double for Campos. Naël also contributed three victories, ensuring that all three drivers played important roles in the team’s success throughout the season.
The results reinforced Campos Racing’s position as one of the leading teams in junior single-seater competition. For Rivera, remaining with the Spanish outfit provides an opportunity to build on that success while pursuing his own championship ambitions.
Rivera welcomes opportunity to return for full 2027 season
Following the announcement, Rivera expressed his enthusiasm about continuing with Campos Racing and the Red Bull Junior Team, highlighting the importance of entering 2027 with greater experience and the opportunity to complete a full championship campaign.
The Mexican acknowledged the challenges he encountered during his rookie season while emphasising his determination to build on the victories and podium finishes he achieved after recovering from injury.
“I’m really excited to be back with Campos Racing for my second season in FIA Formula 3 and my fourth year with the team,” Rivera said.
“After missing part of last season due to injury, I’m looking forward to competing in a full F3 season. I’m grateful to Campos Racing and Red Bull for their continued trust and support. I hope we can keep fighting for victories and build on what we achieved last season. I’m ready to give it everything!”
His comments reflect a desire to return to the championship with fewer disruptions and a stronger understanding of the demands of FIA F3 competition. Having demonstrated his underlying pace throughout 2026, Rivera will now aim to improve his consistency across qualifying and both races during each weekend.
The Mexican previously identified tyre management and race execution as important areas of development during his rookie campaign. Although his victories at Spielberg and Spa demonstrated significant progress, the experience of competing in a closely contested championship also highlighted the importance of maintaining strong performances throughout an entire season.
A second year with Campos will provide an opportunity to apply those lessons while competing against a new generation of drivers, many of whom will be making their first appearances in FIA F3.
Campos praises Rivera’s adaptability and contribution to title success
Campos Racing Team Principal Adrián Campos welcomed the continuation of the team’s partnership with Rivera, praising the Mexican’s performances during his first FIA F3 season and the maturity he demonstrated in overcoming his early difficulties.
The team principal also highlighted Rivera’s contribution to Campos Racing’s championship success, recognising the importance of his victories and podium finishes in helping the team retain the Teams’ title.
“We are delighted to continue working with Ernesto for another season. He has done a fantastic job in his first year in FIA Formula 3, demonstrating great adaptability, speed and maturity, particularly considering the challenges he faced at the beginning of the season.”
Campos emphasised that Rivera had consistently maximised his opportunities throughout the year, while their established relationship provided a strong foundation for further development.
“He has made the most of his opportunities, secured victories and podium finishes, and made a significant contribution to our Teams’ Championship title. Ernesto has been part of our team ever since he made the step up to single-seaters, so this continuation is also a reflection of the mutual trust we have built over the years.”
Looking towards the next campaign, Campos expressed confidence that Rivera could continue progressing within the team’s structure and challenge for further success.
“In 2027, we will have another opportunity to keep growing together, further develop his talent and take on new challenges with the ambition of fighting for the highest honours.”
The team’s decision to retain Rivera provides continuity as it prepares for another championship defence. His experience of the current F3 machinery and familiarity with Campos’ engineering operations should prove valuable as the Spanish outfit introduces new drivers to its line-up.
