As his rookie 2025 F3 season nears its conclusion, Van Amersfoort Racing’s Théophile Naël remains firmly focused on his ultimate motorsport dream — a seat in Formula 1. Speaking exclusively to Pit Debrief after the Spanish GP race weekend in which he claimed a second-place finish in the Feature Race, the 18-year-old Frenchman shared his career ambitions, reflected on ticking off a bucket-list track in 2025, and gave his take on an upcoming venue that has the paddock buzzing.
F1 — The ultimate goal
For many young drivers climbing the single-seater ladder, F1 remains the pinnacle, even with other professional championships such as IndyCar and Formula E offering competitive alternatives. Naël is no exception.
“For me, for sure, the plan is to go to Formula 1. That’s the dream. That’s the objective,” he said. “So I’m not looking much at the other categories, but for sure we all have, I think, an eye on what’s happening there. But the plan is, for the moment, just looking into Formula 1 and dreaming of that.”
While others from the F3 and F2 ranks have built impressive careers outside of F1 — with Taylor Barnard and Zane Maloney recently making moves to Formula E — Naël’s focus remains squarely on the traditional route. For now, his energy is channelled into honing the skills and consistency needed to advance up the ladder.
A dream weekend in Monaco
Should Naël achieve his dream of making it to F1, he will have the chance to race at some of motorsport’s most iconic circuits — venues that demand precision, focus, and nerves of steel. He got a taste of that this year in Monaco, experiencing the legendary streets of Monte Carlo for the first time.
“For me, Monaco was really the one that I wanted to try at some point,” he said when asked about the circuits that he hopes to race at in the future. “So yeah, we drove there this year.”
While the weekend proved challenging — finishing 16th in the Sprint and retiring from the Feature, though still classified 22nd — the experience was invaluable. The close barriers, shifting grip levels, and relentless concentration required through every corner made Monaco a standout highlight of his rookie season, offering lessons that will serve him well in the future.
Madrid — A new track with strong potential
Though a chance at F1 remains some way off, Naël has his eye on a new addition to the junior single-seater calendar. The Madrid street circuit, set to debut for Formula 3 and Formula 2 in 2026, is already generating excitement among drivers.
“Of course, I think Madrid… Madrid for the next year, for Formula 3, Formula 2, it’s going to be an exciting one,” he notes.
The venue promises a fresh challenge for drivers, combining the intensity of a city-centre track with the unpredictability of street racing. For Naël, it represents an opportunity to test his adaptability and showcase his skills in a circuit that is entirely new to the championship — a perfect chance to build experience ahead of potential future appearances in higher categories.
Focused on the path ahead
With just one round remaining in the 2025 F3 season, Naël sits seventh in the standings — a strong position for a rookie — and remains determined to finish on a high. His combination of long-term ambition and short-term focus mirrors the qualities of many who have successfully navigated the path to the top.
The dream of Formula 1 may be the guiding star, but every race, every track, and every season counts towards building the skillset to get there. As Naël’s rookie campaign draws to a close, he has already achieved milestones that many drivers aspire to — and is well-placed to aim even higher in the seasons to come.
