Ernesto Rivera bounced back from his Silverstone disappointment in style, claiming his maiden FIA Formula 3 (F3) Feature Race victory at Spa-Francorchamps.
The Campos Racing driver started fourth on the grid but kept himself in contention during the opening stages as tyre degradation began to play a major role in the race.
Rivera gradually moved through the field before catching Hiyu Yamakoshi and Freddie Slater in the closing stages.
After passing Yamakoshi, Rivera saw that Slater was struggling with his tyres and made his move for the lead with just a handful of laps remaining.
From there, the Campos driver managed the gap and pulled clear of the DRS to secure his first Feature Race victory and second win of the 2026 season.
A tough battle to the top of the F3 Feature Race
Speaking in the FIA Formula 3 post-Feature Race press conference, Rivera reflected on a difficult race and the significance of bouncing back from his Silverstone disappointment.
“Yeah, it was a very tough race, lots of tyre degradation. In the beginning I was trying to be very smooth, not push so much and middle to the end I started to push a bit more.
“The DRS was super powerful. I was able to get into the lead with around four or five laps to go. It’s super strong because of the disappointment in Silverstone as I got the penalty. Good to bounce back with some good points.”
Rivera had already moved into podium contention when he began to believe victory was within reach for the F3 Spa-Francorchamps Feature Race.
As the race progressed, he closed in on Yamakoshi and Slater before taking advantage of their tyre struggles to make his move for the lead.
“I think when I was running P3, catching Hiyu and Freddie. I knew the victory was possible. When I got by Hiyu, I could see that Freddie was struggling with the tyres, so at that moment I knew it was possible.
“When I got the lead, I tried to push to get him out of the DRS, and after that, I was just managing the last four laps.”
The victory was particularly significant for Rivera after he had shown strong pace throughout the season but had often failed to convert it into the results he believed were possible.
Disappointment in Silverstone
In the Silverstone Feature Race, Rivera originally crossed the chequered flag in P3, but a 10-second time penalty for Campos Racing team mate Théophile Naël promoted him to P2.
However, Rivera then received a 5-second time penalty for failing to follow the failing to follow the race Director’s competition notes in relation to weaving after the bridge between Turn 14 and 15.
After the penalty, Rivera dropped from P2 to P10. The Campos driver was able to bounce back and deliver on the Feature Race stage at Spa.
“It means a lot. I’ve had the pace all season to be here on the podium, but sometimes I don’t put it together.
“Now everyone can see, and myself, that I can win a Feature Race.”
Rivera’s victory also moves him into the top five of the Drivers’ Championship, adding further momentum to his rookie campaign.
With no time to rest before the next round, the Campos driver will now turn his attention to the Hungaroring. Although Rivera has never raced at the circuit before, he already has his sights set on another Feature Race podium.
“Actually I’ve never raced in Budapest, but I like the track a lot. I would want to be on the podium on the Feature Race.”
