Xcel Motorsport has confirmed that Brazilian driver Ricardo Baptista will join the team for the 2026 GB3 Championship season, marking another important step in the young racer’s fast-developing career.
The 18-year-old arrives with valuable Formula 4 experience after contesting the Brazilian F4 Championship last year. During that campaign, he secured a victory at Autódromo Velo Città midway through the season and demonstrated strong consistency across the year.
In total, Baptista recorded 15 top-10 finishes from the 21 races and emerged as a regular contender inside the top six during the latter half of the championship.
Now, as he prepares to make the transition to GB3 machinery, the Brazilian will do so with a proven front-running squad. Xcel Motorsport finished as runners-up in last year’s standings with Patrick Heuzenroeder, highlighting the team’s competitiveness in the series.
Batista to take on a new challenge for 2026 in GB3 with Xcel Motorsport
Baptista has already begun preparing for the upcoming season. Earlier this year, he competed in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy (CTFROT), gaining additional experience ahead of his GB3 debut. With testing approaching, the young driver is eager to begin working with his new team and build momentum through the campaign.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Xcel Motorsport for the 2026 GB3 Championship. It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with such a motivated and professional team, and I’m really looking forward to getting started. The goal is to work hard together, build strong momentum throughout the season, and fight for strong results. I can’t wait to begin testing and start this new journey with the team.”
Xcel confident in Baptista’s potential
Team principal Gary Bonnor believes the Brazilian will integrate well into the team environment and continue to develop throughout the season. With Xcel Motorsport’s strong recent record in GB3, the partnership could prove to be a significant opportunity for the young driver.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Ricardo to Xcel Motorsport for the 2026 GB3 season. He’s a talented driver with great potential, and we believe he will fit extremely well within our team environment. We’re excited to work with him and support his development throughout the year. We’re confident that together we can achieve some strong performances.”
Batista a rapidly rising star ready for 2026 GB3 challenge with Xcel Motorsport
Although Baptista began karting later than many of his peers, his rise through the motorsport ranks has been remarkably swift. He first entered karting at the age of 15 after being inspired by watching his father — also named Ricardo — compete in GT racing.
Despite the late start, Baptista quickly made his mark, becoming a Brazilian karting champion before moving into single-seater competition.
His early open-wheel career gained further momentum during the 2025 Brazilian Formula 4 season. There, he claimed one victory and several podium finishes on his way to 11th place in the overall standings.
Alongside his Brazilian F4 campaign, Baptista also broadened his experience internationally. He made appearances in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship and the Formula Winter Series, while also contesting a round of the Euroformula Open Championship at the Red Bull Ring.
As a result, the Brazilian now arrives in GB3 with growing international experience and clear upward momentum. With Xcel Motorsport providing a competitive platform, Baptista will aim to translate his rapid development into strong results during the 2026 season.
