Campos Racing’s Ernesto Rivera believes the experience gained during his rookie FIA Formula 3 (F3) campaign is already making a difference as he prepares for his second season in 2027. The Red Bull Junior Team driver demonstrated competitive pace throughout the final post-season test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, finishing just 0.012 seconds behind the fastest time of the two-day event.
The Mexican topped Monday afternoon’s session before challenging ART Grand Prix’s Taito Kato for the overall benchmark on Tuesday morning. His performances followed another encouraging test at Jerez, providing a positive conclusion to his first year in F3 as he prepares to continue with Campos Racing.
Rivera highlights importance of Jerez and Barcelona testing
Rivera entered the post-season testing programme following a lengthy break from competitive driving, having last raced during the Madrid round of the 2026 championship. The two tests provided an opportunity to return to the cockpit, assess the lessons learned during his rookie campaign and begin preparations for 2027.
The Mexican demonstrated competitive pace from the outset at Jerez, finishing third during the opening afternoon session. His 1:31.180 placed him just 0.011 seconds behind Trident’s Kean Nakamura-Berta, who established the day’s benchmark, and 0.009 seconds behind new Campos teammate Mattia Colnaghi.
Following the opening test at Jerez, Rivera carried that momentum into Barcelona, where the Spanish outfit continued evaluating its preparations for the upcoming season.
Reflecting on the importance of the two events, Rivera explained how the additional running had allowed him to identify areas for improvement.
“They’ve been quite important. Before Jerez, I hadn’t been in the car since Madrid, so it was good to jump back in, trying to prepare as best as possible for next year and to learn from what we did wrong this year.”
The testing programme also allowed Rivera to work alongside Colnaghi and Salim Hanna, who will complete Campos Racing’s three-driver line-up for 2027.
Rivera tops Barcelona afternoon as Campos demonstrates competitive pace
Rivera continued his strong form during the opening day of Barcelona post-season testing, finishing third in Monday morning’s session with a 1:28.837. Although MP Motorsport’s Matteo De Palo established the early benchmark, Campos remained competitive as teams concentrated on qualifying simulations.
The Mexican subsequently moved to the top of the afternoon classification, recording a 1:28.549 to finish ahead of Van Amersfoort Racing’s Enzo Deligny and Rodin Motorsport’s Alessandro Giusti.
Despite missing the overall fastest time of the day by 0.033 seconds, Rivera was encouraged by his performance and the progress made with the car.
“The track was quite fast in the afternoon and I did a good lap on the new tyres and was able to go fastest. The car felt quite good, so overall, happy with the day.”
His competitive pace continued into Tuesday, when he briefly led the morning session with a 1:28.186 before the field improved on fresh tyres.
Kato eventually established the fastest lap of the Barcelona test with a 1:27.902, narrowly beating Rivera’s 1:27.914. The Campos driver finished second overall, while Giusti completed the leading three, only 0.069 seconds behind Kato.
Experience brings greater confidence in qualifying simulations
Beyond the competitive lap times, Rivera identified his growing confidence as one of the most significant differences between his rookie campaign and his preparations for 2027.
The Mexican explained that a full season of F3 experience has improved his understanding of qualifying simulations, particularly when drivers have limited opportunities to produce a competitive lap on fresh tyres.
“It’s quite different now with a year’s worth of experience, especially in these types of sessions where you only have one push to lap and you can really see the experience.”
Rivera believes that familiarity with the car allows him to approach qualifying runs with greater confidence, helping him extract performance even when the balance is not entirely to his liking.
“Now you know a bit more, how things should be, you have a bit more confidence. You can maybe force it a bit more if you don’t feel super confident with the car.”
The 2027 season will also represent a new challenge for Rivera, marking the first time he has remained in the same championship for consecutive campaigns since beginning his single-seater career.
“Just with experience, you are able to put in a good lap. It’s my first time doing a second year in a category, so it’s a new thing for me.”
His comments highlight the importance of continuity as he looks to build on his first year alongside Campos Racing.
Rivera looks to build on successful rookie F3 campaign
Rivera’s confidence follows an impressive first F3 campaign, during which he overcame a disrupted start to establish himself among the championship’s leading competitors.
The Red Bull Junior Team member missed the opening round in Melbourne after sustaining a back injury during the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy. The setback also prevented him from participating in pre-season testing, limiting his preparation before his eventual F3 debut.
Nevertheless, Rivera recovered to secure two victories and three podium finishes, including his maiden victory in the Spielberg Sprint Race and a Feature Race triumph at Spa-Francorchamps. He ultimately finished seventh in the Drivers’ Championship with 87 points, helping Campos Racing secure its second consecutive Teams’ title.
His performances earned him another season with Campos Racing in 2027, extending an association that began during his Spanish F4 campaign in 2024.
With the Spanish outfit retaining Rivera alongside newcomers Colnaghi and Hanna, the Mexican will provide valuable continuity as Campos prepares to defend both championships.
His experience of the current F3 machinery, combined with the lessons learned during his rookie season, should offer a stronger foundation for the upcoming campaign.
Winter break provides opportunity to reset ahead of 2027
With the conclusion of Barcelona testing, Rivera will now turn his attention towards the winter break before preparations intensify for the 2027 championship.
The Mexican plans to return home, balancing time away from racing with activities that will help maintain his competitive sharpness. Although he is considering further karting sessions, Rivera also recognises the importance of recovering mentally following a demanding season.
“I will go to Mexico, try to relax for some time, maybe do a bit of karting there with my team. I’m just trying to reset mentally and go again for next year.”
His performances across Jerez and Barcelona provide an encouraging starting point, particularly after the challenges that affected his preparation for 2026. Having demonstrated race-winning pace during his rookie campaign, Rivera will now aim to translate his additional experience into greater consistency throughout the upcoming season.
The close margins at Barcelona also suggest that Campos Racing remains competitive as it prepares for another championship defence. However, the varying testing programmes mean the results do not necessarily reflect the competitive order for 2027.
For Rivera, the immediate priority will be making the most of his first opportunity to return to a familiar championship, with the Mexican hoping that a full season of experience will help him challenge more consistently at the front.
