Formulation 3 is lastly again for the primary time since July, and Campos driver Ernesto Rivera expects to be combating on the entrance in Monza.
The battle for the title very a lot seems to be a two-horse race between Freddie Slater and Ugo Ugochukwu. Nonetheless, Ernesto Rivera has the chance to complete within the prime three. At present sitting fourth within the Drivers’ Standings with 72 factors, solely 3 factors separate the Campos driver from teammate Theophile Nael in third.
The Pink Bull Junior stepped as much as F3 in 2026 and has made for a formidable rookie marketing campaign. With each Dash and Function race wins below his belt, his efficiency and improvement have been excellent.
His maiden victory got here within the type of a Dash race win in Spielberg, earlier than his maiden Function race win was secured in Spa two race weekends later. This weekend, the rookie will hope to seize extra beneficial factors for an opportunity at a top-three spot within the F3 championship.
Rivera talked to media, together with Motorsport Week, about his strategy this weekend, the break up qualifying and new DRS zone, in addition to what he expects on the last spherical in Madrid, in a digital roundtable forward of the F3 Italian GP weekend.
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Modifications round Monza in F3
The penultimate F3 spherical comes with a brand new problem for the 30 drivers to tackle. Whereas they’re acquainted with the Temple of Pace, this season there may be a further DRS zone between turns 10 and 11. Concurrently, qualifying will observe the format normally reserved for the Monaco Grand Prix. The drivers might be break up into two teams, as an alternative of 1. The sooner group will take over the left aspect of the grid.
Rivera was requested by Motorsport Week how having a further DRS zone and break up qualifying would change his strategy going into the weekend, and whether or not it could make it harder to search out the right setup.
“It most likely will change a bit the racing. Perhaps you don’t need to overtake earlier than final flip, to allow them to cross you again on the principle straight. It is going to be attention-grabbing. Additionally, being P1 and breaking the DRS might be tremendous troublesome. So final lap ought to be thrilling. I believe there’s going to be numerous adjustments of place. Yeah, wanting ahead to it.”
When requested about his strategy to a shorter qualifying session versus a traditional one, the Campos driver defined that it is going to be thrilling.
“We’ve seen that in Monaco, the teams assist lots as a result of the monitor may be very tight and there’s little house. However right here, I believe it is going to be an thrilling qualifying session because it has at all times been in Monza.
“Taking part in the slimstream sport and looking for a superb monitor place, however I believe that’s one of the best they’ll do to keep away from such a multitude with the 2 teams. I believe it is going to be an thrilling quali, solely having one or two push laps.”
Moreover, the Mexican driver grabbed victory round Monza final 12 months in Eurocup 3. He emphasised that whereas Monza at all times offers thrilling racing, he takes classes from final 12 months with him into this weekend.
“Monza at all times offers nice racing with the lengthy straights and the large tow impact,” Rivera started.
“With the brand new DRS zone as properly, it is going to be even greater. So the man in P1 must battle for it. Additionally in quali, the tow impact is very large. I discovered that in Eurocup final 12 months, bettering virtually seven tenths with out and with a tow, so I do know that’s crucial now. I anticipate to have a superb end result and hopefully the identical as final 12 months.”
Method and mindset into the Italian GP
The 30 F3 drivers have had a summer season break since July, which might make the weekend all of the extra attention-grabbing. The break makes it vital to know easy methods to bounce again into the suitable mindset and focus when the race weekend rolls round once more.
Requested by Motorsport Week how he will get into the suitable mindset after the summer season break forward of the penultimate spherical, Rivera defined that his strategy stays the identical.
“It was nice to have a break after a summer season stuffed with races. I’ll strategy it the identical as another weekend.
“Additionally, I didn’t really feel that we weren’t driving for as long as we had the Madrid check. One week earlier than that, I used to be already on the crew and coaching. Yeah, good break, however not tremendous lengthy.”
Up subsequent, Madrid
Whereas the grid has not had any races because the finish of July, they did take part in a testing session on the new Madring. A number of drivers expressed their pleasure in regards to the new monitor and the problem it presents.
“It was nice to have the ability to drive the monitor. As all of us stated earlier than, it’s a really troublesome monitor. Most likely essentially the most troublesome monitor I’ve pushed but, and for certain essentially the most troublesome this season. Very excessive velocity,” the Campos driver defined when requested about his impression of the brand new venue.
He continued, “It’s very straightforward to make a mistake and the wall comes very quick. It’s a really driver’s monitor. I believe it is going to be troublesome to cross within the race, however over one lap it’s tremendous thrilling.
“I actually suppose it is going to be laborious for the F2 guys solely getting the FP after which going straight into quali. There’ll most likely be a purple flag. It is going to be powerful for them, however it was nice that they allow us to drive within the circuit.”
Not solely is the Madring a brand new monitor, however the Madrid weekend additionally comes with a brand new format. As an alternative of a daily race weekend with periods together with Apply, Qualifying, Dash race, and Function race, Madrid presents an enormous alternative.
The weekend will include two consecutive qualifying periods and two Function races. The drivers then have an enormous alternative to take a whopping 50 factors over the course of 1 weekend. This opens up a brand new alternative for Rivera to take third within the championship.
Talking of the challenges he expects in Madrid, Rivera emphasised the significance of holding it clear early within the weekend.
“It is going to be a really attention-grabbing qualifying format as in the event you crash in quali one, principally your weekend is over as a result of you’ll begin final in each races or near final within the first Dash Race and Function. I believe it is going to be crucial to maintain it clear in Q1 and perhaps danger a bit extra in Q2 as a result of the monitor is tremendous tight. It’s very straightforward to crash whenever you’re going to the restrict.”
READ MORE: Monza Magic: A information to the penultimate Formulation 3 Italian Grand Prix
