Ricardo Escotto will make his F3 debut with AIX Racing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend after the team confirmed him as Brad Benavides’ replacement for the upcoming 2026 round.
The 21-year-old Mexican driver arrives in the championship after competing in Indy NXT. He now steps into the AIX Racing line-up for the Barcelona event, which runs from June 12-14.
Escotto relishing Barcelona F3 opportunity with AIX Racing
Escotto will face a demanding debut as he adapts to the F3 car, the championship format and a competitive field at one of the most familiar venues on the junior single-seater calendar.
However, the Mexican driver expressed his excitement ahead of the weekend and thanked AIX Racing for the chance to join its programme.
“I am super excited to drive for AIX Racing in the Barcelona Grand Prix. I am grateful for the team for giving me this opportunity and can’t wait to get on track!”
A varied junior career before F3
Before his F3 opportunity, Escotto built experience across several junior single-seater categories. He raced in Formula 4 in America, Spain and the UAE, while he also made selected appearances in Italian F4.
He then moved into the American junior ladder, where he completed two years in USF Pro 2000. During that period, he claimed one win in 2023 and added further podium finishes in 2024, before stepping up to Indy NXT.
Escotto also appeared in Euroformula Open in 2024 with Team Motopark, where he contested three races and scored points at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. That previous experience at the venue could prove useful as he prepares for his F3 debut.
AIX Racing backs Escotto to adapt quickly in 2026 F3
AIX Racing will aim to help Escotto settle into the team quickly as he takes on a new car, new tyres and a new championship environment in Barcelona.
Team Manager Kenny Kirwan welcomed Escotto to the squad and highlighted the team’s focus on giving him the support required to build confidence across the weekend.
“We are delighted to welcome Ricardo Escotto to the team for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 round in Barcelona. Ricardo has shown strong pace and determination throughout his junior single-seater career, and we believe he has the talent and work ethic to integrate quickly with our programme. Our focus will be on giving Ricardo the support he needs to maximise the weekend, build experience with the car, and contribute positively to the team’s objectives. We are excited to see what we can achieve together and wish him every success for his debut with us in Barcelona.”
Barcelona marks a fresh challenge of Escotto
The Barcelona round gives Escotto a major opportunity to showcase his adaptability on the international stage. Although he brings experience from F4, USF Pro 2000, Euroformula Open and Indy NXT, FIA F3 presents a different challenge due to its large grid, limited track time and highly competitive margins.
As a result, AIX Racing will likely prioritise progression across the weekend. Escotto must use practice to get comfortable with the car before tackling qualifying, where grid position often shapes the rest of an FIA F3 weekend.
With the team confirming the change ahead of the June 12-14 event, Escotto now prepares for a significant career milestone as he joins the FIA Formula 3 field in Barcelona.
