PREMA Racing has confirmed José Garfias as part of its line-up for the 2026 FIA F3 Championship. The Mexican driver will therefore take his first full-time step into the series with one of its most successful teams.
In addition, Garfias will join PREMA for the upcoming pre-season test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where he will begin preparations alongside James Wharton and Louis Sharp. He replaces Enzo Deligny, who announced his move to Van Amersfoort Racing one day earlier.
From NACAM F4 to European single-seaters
Garfias began karting in 2016 and quickly set his sights on single-seater racing. He entered the NACAM Formula 4 Championship in 2019 and made an immediate impression by scoring points in every race he contested. He then claimed multiple victories during the 2019–20 season and finished fourth overall, underlining both his pace and racecraft.
In 2021, Garfias expanded his European experience through part-time campaigns in the GB3 Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship. While results proved mixed, those programmes introduced him to new circuits and a higher level of competition, experiences that later became invaluable.
After a year away from racing due to budget constraints, Garfias returned strongly in 2023 with MP Motorsport in Eurocup-3. He delivered impressive consistency, secured five podium finishes, and climbed to fourth in the championship standings. He continued in the series in 2024 before shifting focus towards the Euroformula Open.
That transition paid off quickly. Competing with Team Motopark, Garfias found immediate momentum and claimed multiple podium finishes during part-time appearances at Barcelona and Monza.
In 2025, Garfias completed a full Euroformula Open campaign and further strengthened his credentials. He claimed three race victories and finished fourth in the overall standings, firmly placing himself on the FIA Formula 3 radar.
Crucially, he already has experience at F3 level. Garfias made his championship debut at Barcelona in 2025 with AIX Racing. He also took on the unique challenge of the Macau Grand Prix, adding further depth to his résumé.
A carefully timed step into F3 for Garfias as PREMA enters a new era in 2026
This move marks a pivotal moment in Garfias’ career. After building experience across several competitive junior categories, he now commits to FIA Formula 3 over a full season.
PREMA Team Manager Goffredo Pirro believes Garfias can adapt quickly. He said:
“We are happy to welcome José for the season. Even though he will be competing full-time in the series for the first time this year, he has a good amount of experience in Eurocup-3 and Euroformula Open, so I think he will quickly adapt himself to the new environment and get positive results.”
Garfias also made his ambitions clear as he looks ahead to 2026. He said: “Ready to take on this new challenge with PREMA in F3. It’s a big step in the right direction for my career. Racing in F3 is something that I have been working towards for the last few years, and doing it with PREMA means a lot to me. Very thankful for everyone who is making this possible, and grateful to PREMA for giving me the opportunity to prove myself on a bigger stage. I’m ready to make the most of it.”
As PREMA prepares for the season ahead, the team has also extended its best wishes to Enzo Deligny as he moves on to the next phase of his career. Meanwhile, attention now turns to pre-season testing in Barcelona, where Garfias begins the next chapter of his journey. With experience, momentum, and PREMA support behind him, the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season shapes up as a defining challenge for the Mexican racer.
