Théophile Naël became Formula 3’s first race winner at the Madring after controlling the 2026 Madrid F3 Sprint Race to claim his third victory of the season.
The Campos Racing driver converted his front-row start into victory and showed strong late-race pace as he managed his tyres at the front. The result also strengthened his fight for third in the Drivers’ Championship and moved Campos closer to securing the Teams’ title on home soil.
Naël manages his tyres to make Madrid history with 2026 F3 Sprint win at Madring
Naël quickly established himself at the front after making a strong start. From there, he focused on controlling the race while managing front-left tyre temperatures around the demanding Madring layout.
Rather than losing pace towards the chequered flag, however, Naël continued to improve. He produced his fastest lap during the final stages, which gave him an encouraging indication of Campos’ race pace before the longer Feature Race later in the day.
“Yeah, extremely happy to be the first winner in Madrid. Obviously, it’s been a really good race for me, really good start. Then managing the tyres, there is no deg on the tyres, but just some overheating in the front-left.
“But I still managed to have my fastest lap in the two last laps. So, yeah, extremely happy. It means that I managed quite well the tyres, and I think it’s a good indication for tonight’s race.”
The victory carried additional significance because Naël wrote his name into the history of the new venue. Formula 3 had never raced at the Madring before this weekend, so the Campos driver became the Championship’s first winner at the circuit.
Moreover, the result provided the ideal response to a Qualifying session that had left him dissatisfied.
“Yeah, I was a bit disappointed about my Quali from yesterday. But to bounce back like that today, it’s such an incredible feeling. I mean, it’s a home race for the team as well.
“We are close to being team champions as well. So, it’s still some good points for them, as well for me, maybe to be fighting for the third place this weekend.
“So, yeah, very happy. The pace was really good. So, yeah, looking forward to both races tonight and tomorrow morning.”
Third place remains an important target
Although Naël can no longer realistically centre his weekend around the Drivers’ Championship title, he still has a significant individual target available.
The Campos driver entered his second Formula 3 season with ambitions of fighting for the Championship. His campaign showed considerable speed, particularly during the opening phase of the year, but mistakes, penalties and difficult weekends prevented him from sustaining a title challenge.
Even so, Naël believes that finishing inside the top three would still provide a positive conclusion to the campaign and an important result for his future.
“Yeah, I was not where I wanted to be. To be honest, I think to be still in the top three could be something very positive for the future as well. But, I mean, the pace has been there the whole season.
“There are some, let’s say, disappointing race weekends that I’ve made. But overall, extremely happy. Three pole positions in a row at the beginning of the season. That was spot on.
“And then we had some issues in some races, some penalties that I could have avoided. But, I mean, still extremely happy if I can be in the top three at the end of the weekend.”
His Sprint Race victory moved him back into third place, but the contest remains open with two Feature Races still to come.
Furthermore, Naël faces a considerably different challenge from his Sprint Race. Instead of starting from the front row, he will line up 11th and 13th for the remaining contests. As a result, he will need to combine Campos’ encouraging race pace with effective overtaking if he wants to defend third.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s good to be back in P3 at the end of this morning. Obviously, there are still two more races to go, starting from P11, P13.
“It’s going to be two very tricky races. But, I mean, I will try to give my best, try to grab some points. And, yeah, until the last chequered flag, the season is not finished. Nothing is finished. So, yeah, let’s see.”
Campos moves closer to the 2026 F3 Teams’ Championship after Naël wins Sprint
Naël’s individual battle forms only one part of Campos’ Madrid objectives.
The Spanish outfit arrived at its home event in a commanding position in the Teams’ Championship, and Naël’s Sprint Race victory added another valuable haul to its total. Campos therefore has an opportunity to secure the title during Saturday evening’s Feature Race.
Naël intends to contribute wherever possible, even if that means collecting only a small number of points from his midfield starting position.
“Yeah, let’s see. It can be done tonight. So, hopefully, we do the best. I will do the best that I can to grab some points, if it’s one, if it’s two. But, I mean, yeah, it could be done tonight. So, I would be extremely happy for them.”
A Teams’ Championship on home soil would add further significance to a weekend that has already given Naël and Campos a place in the Madring record books.
Naël also recognised the historical significance of standing on the first Formula 3 podium at the venue.
“Yeah, like James said, I think it’s amazing to be on that podium for the first race ever here in Madrid. And obviously, starting from P2, finishing P1, it’s something particular. I mean, it’s still a Sprint Race, but it’s still a victory.
“So, yeah, extremely happy. Like I said, home race for the team as well.”
Limited radio communication helps Naël find his rhythm
Naël did not need constant guidance from the pit wall while he controlled the race. Instead, his engineer deliberately reduced radio communication and allowed him to concentrate on building a rhythm at the front. Naël only requested specific information, including the gap behind and the fastest lap, once he needed it.
That approach reflected the relationship Naël and his engineer have developed during their time together.
“Yeah, I think he made a good decision, to be honest, because there was not much more to say to me. I was just focused on driving. And then, at some point, I asked him, ‘Can you tell me the gap, fastest lap as well?’ But that was the only info that he gave me during this race. So, I think that was very helpful.
“And I think once you are leading, the engineer has not much more to say. So, that was a good decision for him. And obviously, after one year together, we know each other very well. And, yeah, that was the right decision.”
That calm approach complemented Naël’s tyre management and helped him maintain control as the laps ticked down. However, he has little time to enjoy the victory before Formula 3 returns to the track.
Naël turns his attention to the first Feature Race
Madrid’s expanded finale gives Formula 3 an unusually demanding Saturday schedule. After completing the Sprint Race in the morning, the drivers must return for the first Feature Race later in the day before contesting the season finale on Sunday.
Consequently, Naël plans to prioritise recovery between the two Saturday races. Although the schedule adds another physical and mental challenge, he believes the field has prepared well enough to handle it.
“Yeah, I fully agree. I mean, today we had the Sprint Race this morning, Feature Race later on. So, yeah, I think it would be good to have a nap or try to relax as much as possible for the race tonight. That would be even longer.
“So, yeah, it’s going to be a tough challenge. But, I mean, we are, I think, all prepared very well for that on the grid. So, yeah, it will not make a big difference.”
Naël therefore enters the final two races with momentum, strong race pace and several objectives still within reach.
He has already secured his third victory of the season and a place in Madring history. Now, he will try to convert that momentum into enough points to secure third in the Drivers’ Championship while helping Campos complete its charge towards the Teams’ title.
