For any young driver, stepping up from junior categories into F3 represents a defining moment. The championship demands not only speed but also adaptability, consistency, and a deep understanding of racecraft. Ivan Domingues, now in his third year with Van Amersfoort Racing, has embraced the challenge of the 2025 F3 Championship wholeheartedly.
His journey through the ranks of junior motorsport has prepared him for the intensity of F3, but it is the combination of team environment, personal resilience, and strategic growth that shapes his season. Speaking candidly about his experiences in an exclusive interview with Pit Debrief, Domingues shed light on how professionalism and strong team dynamics have influenced his development as a driver and how he measures his performances against high expectations.
A professional team environment
Having joined Van Amersfoort Racing in 2023 ahead of the Italian F1, Euro 4 and Formula Regional European Championships, Domingues has had the opportunity to grown alongside his team. When asked about the dynamics withing the Dutch team, he stressed that their professionalism is the backbone of his progress as it has provided him with a stable and structured environment that has allowed him to focus on honing his skills and understanding the nuances of the car.
“Van Amersfoort is a very professional team. It’s my third year with them and yeah, I decided to take this step and they decided as well to take this step together into this championship. That is a big step in, I think, all the young drivers’ careers.”
Team dynamics and mutual support
While professional structures are important, the interpersonal relationships within a team are equally vital. Domingues emphasised that getting along well with teammates is a key factor in creating a productive environment. He believes that sharing insights, exchanging feedback, and supporting each other’s development strengthens both individual performance and overall team cohesion. In the high-pressure world of F3, where races are often won or lost by fractions of a second, this collaborative atmosphere has been invaluable to Van Amersfoort Racing’s 2025 campaign
“The dynamics in the team are very good. Luckily, the three of us get along really well. So that’s always a good thing. I think we all help each other. We work together with all the engineers and all the mechanics. I think all the relationships in the team work very well and yeah, I’m very happy to be racing with them.”
Domingues pointed out that positive team dynamics extend beyond the drivers themselves. By working effectively with engineers and mechanics, he ensures that car setup, strategy, and performance adjustments are optimised each weekend. He believes that this holistic approach contributes not only to results on track but also to his growth as a driver capable of understanding technical feedback and translating it into performance.
Adjusting to F3
Despite the good environment at Van Amersfoort Racing, for Domingues, the jump to F3 in 2025 comes with its own set of unique challenges. Unlike lower categories, the level of competition, the technical complexity of the cars, and the demands of race weekends are significantly higher. Domingues was aware that adapting would require patience, learning, and strategic planning. He acknowledged that while his expectations were high, he also understands the necessity of building rhythm and consistency over time.
“The expectations going into this championship were high, of course. But I also knew that this is a very unique championship compared to the FRECA and F4 and all kinds of junior categories before F3. So I knew it was going to take a while to get into the rhythm and everything.”
Recognising the importance of self-awareness, Domingues also considered his strengths and weaknesses carefully. He knows that achieving quality performances consistently is more critical than ever in F3, a series where the competition is intense and small errors can be costly.
“I also know myself and I knew my strong points for myself in the past. And I knew that sometimes my quality performances weren’t as good as they should be. And in this championship, they are even more important than in other championships.”
The challenge of Qualifying
One of the biggest challenges Domingues has faced in the 2025 F3 season has been achieving consistency in qualifying. In F2, grid position is crucial, and small differences in lap times can determine race outcomes. Domingues steadily adapted to the championship, working tirelessly to refine his approach and extract more from the car. His breakthrough came at Round 5 in Barcelona, which marked a pivotal moment in his season.
“So yeah, it took me some time to manage to qualify inside the top 12. And yeah, once I did, like in Barcelona, I qualified top 12, podiums and points came. So the focus remains the same to still get some points and to get into the top 12 in Quali.”
On that Spanish GP weekend, Domingues converted his Qualifying into tangible results, winning the 2025 Barcelona F3 Sprint Race and finishing sixth in the Feature Race. This was the only weekend where he scored points, but it showcased his potential and ability to perform under pressure. While the subsequent rounds up to Hungary have been more challenging, the Barcelona performance remains a clear highlight, demonstrating that preparation, focus, and perseverance can deliver strong results.
A final chance in Monza
As the 2025 F3 season nears its conclusion with only Monza remaining, Domingues is focused on consolidating his learning and maximising performance. Barcelona remains a benchmark, showing what he can achieve when preparation, qualifying, and race execution align. Although the rounds since have been challenging, he treats each weekend as an opportunity to gain experience and refine his racecraft.
Success in F3 requires more than raw pace—it demands technical understanding, adaptability, strategic thinking, and teamwork. Domingues has embraced these qualities, positioning himself for sustained growth. His Barcelona breakthrough demonstrates that talent, combined with perseverance and professionalism, can deliver standout results even in a tough season. Monza offers one final chance to capitalise on that potential and finish strongly.
