For Campos Racing Team Principal Adrián Campos Jr, success has never been measured solely by trophies, but by preparing young drivers for the pinnacle of motorsport, Formula 1 (F1).
That vision came to fruition last season when Isack Hadjar completed his progression through the junior ranks and earned his place on the Formula 1 grid.
When Pit Debrief asked during a media session about the defining characteristics that favour drivers who make it into F1, Formula E or IndyCar, Campos said, “Well, to be honest, at the end, we are lucky that we made it last year with Isack [Hadjar]. That was obviously the goal, even more than winning the championship. So that’s why we are here.”
Hadjar’s rise to F1
Hadjar’s rise through the ladder system has been one of Campos Racing’s standout success stories. As a consistent front-runner in the junior categories, the Frenchman combined raw pace with maturity beyond his years, ultimately doing enough to convince Red Bull that he was ready for the step up in 2025 to join their junior team, Racing Bulls.
That success has continued into the current season. Arvid Lindblad, who previously raced with Campos in the junior formulas, has taken the next step by joining the Formula 1 grid with Racing Bulls. Still only at the very start of his career, Lindblad’s promotion stands as another clear example of Campos Racing’s ability to identify, nurture, and prepare drivers for the demands of Formula 1. Known for his maturity, racecraft, and ability to perform under pressure, Lindblad had already built an impressive résumé before making the jump, including race victories and title-contending performances.
Formula 3 to Formula 2
Nikola Tsolov’s trajectory further underlines that approach. After competing in FIA Formula 3 with Campos Racing, where he established himself as one of the most exciting young talents on the grid, the Bulgarian driver has remained with the team for his step up to FIA Formula 2 this season. His progression within the Campos structure highlights the trust between team and driver, as well as the belief that continuity and long-term development can unlock a driver’s full potential.
Noel León has also been part of that development pipeline. The Mexican driver impressed early in his junior career, earning recognition for his rookie performances and consistency, and continues to build his reputation as a disciplined, hard-working driver with the mentality Campos values so highly, joining the team alongside Tsolov in F2 for 2026.
For Campos, that mentality is often evident from the moment a young driver arrives at the team.
“We want to help the drivers to reach F1,” he explained. “What we feel normally when we receive a driver that is still too young, you can feel that they don’t look like the age that they have. They have all things very clear and they are really hard workers.”
What separates the drivers
That hunger, Campos believes, is what separates future Formula 1 drivers from the rest of the field.
“And that’s what you see when there is someone that has something special and has more chances to reach F1,” he continued. “At the end, when there is some other drivers that they are used to have everything released in their lives, they are used to fight less for the things that they want.”
“So that’s the first thing and the main important thing that we see on the drivers that are hungry to arrive at Formula 1.”
Of course, ambition alone is not enough. Talent, opportunity, and the right support network are all crucial elements in a driver’s rise.
“And we realise that they have more chances,” Campos added. “Obviously, they need to have talent. They have to be lucky and be supported by a Formula 1 team if possible.”
With Hadjar now on the F1 grid, Lindblad racing in Formula 1 with Racing Bulls, and drivers like Tsolov and León continuing their development within the Campos structure, the team’s impact on the junior ladder is increasingly difficult to ignore.
“So that’s for us the main thing,” Campos concluded.
