After sustaining a again damage earlier within the season, Brad Benavides has confirmed he gained’t be returning for the ultimate rounds of the 2026 F3 season, with Ricardo Escotto taking his place at AIX racing.
A extreme damage for Benavides
After a first-lap crash again in Monaco, Benavides suffered a damaged vertebra, which noticed him taken to hospital. He was subsequently absent from the next rounds whereas he labored on his restoration, and though he hoped to return by the top of the season, that hasn’t been doable.
Racing with the crew for 2 seasons, AIX launched an announcement concerning the American driver’s restoration. Kenny Kirwan, FIA Method 3 Group Supervisor at AIX Racing stated:
“On behalf of everybody at AIX Racing, I wish to sincerely thank Brad for his helpful contribution to the crew over the previous two seasons. He has been a dedicated {and professional} member of our household, and we vastly recognize the hassle, dedication and constructive perspective he has delivered to the crew all through our time collectively.
“We want Brad each success in his future racing profession and, equally importantly, in all of his private endeavours. He leaves AIX Racing with our honest thanks and best possible needs for the longer term.”
Escotto steps up
Ricardo Escotto will step up and substitute Benavides in Monza and Madrid after filling in for the American driver in Barcelona, Silverstone and Spa. He managed a greatest end of twenty second in each the Barcelona and the Spa Dash Races.
Kirwan stated that they have been wanting ahead to having Escotto in a everlasting function for the ultimate two rounds.
“We’re delighted to welcome Ricardo again to the crew for the remaining rounds of the FIA Method 3 Championship. Ricardo has made important progress all through the season, and we’ve seen first-hand how a lot work and dedication he has put in to proceed growing as a driver.
“Lots of that development has come by means of the exhausting work he has been doing behind the scenes, away from the highlight, with the engineers and the broader crew. His perspective, professionalism and willpower have been glorious, and he has continued to push himself and the crew ahead. We’re wanting ahead to seeing him again within the automobile and constructing on that progress collectively by means of the ultimate rounds of the championship.”
Madrid will likely be a change for the drivers with two characteristic races as a substitute of the same old sprint-feature schedule. It would give Escotto an opportunity to select up factors and impress groups sufficient to earn a seat on the 2027 grid.
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