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What To Watch For: Some interesting topics to look out for at Round 3
The 2025 FIA Formula 3 season is set to get back underway after a slight break in action, as the paddock descends upon Imola for Round 3 of the campaign.
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is the venue for the first of three race weekends in a row, as the drivers and teams prepare to battle it out once more.
But before we get going on Italian soil, here are a few storylines to look out for in Round 3.
PREVIEW: The start of the triple header begins in Imola
TRIDENT THE FAVOURITES ONCE MORE?
TRIDENT have made a superb start to the season, as has their rookie Rafael Câmara, who won the opening two Feature Races of the year in Melbourne and Sakhir.
Câmara leads the way in the Drivers’ Championship, while the Italian outfit top the Teams’ Standings, but as the calendar brings us to Europe, will they maintain their advantage?
Well, if TRIDENT could pick one track where they would feel comfortable doing so, Imola would be at or near the top of the list, given that they have won the last two Feature Races held at the Italian venue.
In addition to that, in 2022, Zane Maloney led Roman Stanek in a one-two for the team in Qualifying, while Santiago Ramos topped a 1-2-3 last year ahead of Leonardo Fornaroli and Sami Meguetounif.
It is clearly a track that TRIDENT like as does Câmara, who has already won here twice in other categories. Whether or not they win this week remains to be seen, but they will certainly feel confident that they can.
WHO ARE THE CHALLENGERS?
Already through two rounds of the campaign 11 drivers from eight teams have stood on the podium, and while TRIDENT have been the ones to beat, others have certainly given a good account of themselves.
IMOLA REWIND: Sami Meguetounif and TRIDENT on top in 2024
But can any of these teams take a step forward in Imola and beat TRIDENT on Friday and Sunday?
MP Motorsport and Campos Racing are second and third in the Standings and return to a track where they had good results last year.
Oliver Goethe won the Sprint and finished second in the Feature for the latter, while Tim Tramnitz was ended up P2 behind his compatriot in the Saturday race.
As well as that, Rodin Motorsport and Van Amersfoort Racing have started the season well and are the only teams outside of TRIDENT to have had more than one podium this year.
AIX Racing, Hitech TGR and ART Grand Prix have also achieved podium finishes, while demonstrating strong pace, so will be hopeful of contending towards the front this weekend.
DAMS Lucas Oil and PREMA Racing are the only teams not to achieve a top three result so far in 2025, but could a return to Europe be exactly what both teams need to change their fortunes?
We will find out this weekend.
WILL FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS HELP?
After two flyaway rounds in Melbourne and Sakhir, two venues that were very unfamiliar to the rookie drivers, a return to the European circuits they know well will definitely be welcome.
While plenty of the 2025 newcomers have done well to score points through the first four races, there are a few who are yet to get on the board.
The early rounds can be quite difficult for the rookies, as they learn a new Championship, car, teams and also the tracks.
However, with two rounds in the books, a better understanding of both the Championship, their cars and the teams, a return to circuits they know well could be the catalyst they need for the rest of the season.
For example, Noel León achieved a podium in the Sprint Race last year in Imola after going without scoring at the opening two rounds.
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The Mexican went on to achieve several more podium finishes and wound up 10th in the Drivers’ Championship. This shows a return to familiar tracks can definitely work in your favour.
THE START OF THE HALFWAY POINT
As previously mentioned, Imola kicks off the start of three race weekends in a row that will also take us to Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
These are a pivotal few rounds as Round 5 in Spain will mark the halfway point of the 2025 campaign, which means we will get a good idea of the title protagonists over the next month.
While a difficult three rounds would not ruin anyone’s Championship hopes, it could certainly dent them, so for both teams and drivers, this triple-header could be huge.
It all starts this weekend in Imola, and all 10 teams and 30 drivers will want to have a strong three days, giving them a chance to carry positive momentum into the rounds to come.