Bruno Michel’s triple-header debrief: Hitting halfway in 2025

The season has reached the halfway stage, and we are set for a fight in both Championships, as drivers chase down Rafael Câmara, and Teams aim to overhaul TRIDENT.

Formula 3 CEO Bruno Michel gives his thoughts on what we’ve seen so far, the triple-header and why the next phase of the 2025 campaign is set to be just as exciting.

CÂMARA’S CLASS, TSOLOV IN TOW

“Rafael Câmara started the triple header leading in the Drivers’ Standings. He remained top throughout three weeks of intense racing and left Barcelona with another victory in a Feature Race, his third so far, which makes his position in the Championship a bit more comfortable. But nothing is done yet.

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“There are drivers behind him who are also pushing. Nikola Tsolov is one of them, as the Bulgarian has steadily scored points since the start of the season. Câmara is the man to beat in Qualifying, taking four pole positions out of five sessions so far. The only other driver with a pole in 2025 is Tsolov, who reigned supreme in Monaco. Interestingly, Monte Carlo was Camara’s poorest round. The Brazilian also needs to sort out his Sprint races, where he only scored four points in total.

“A third man remains close to the Top two: although Tim Tramnitz’s Barcelona round was less than ideal, the German did triumph in the Imola Sprint and stays within touching distance to Tsolov, ahead of Spielberg.”

HITTING THE HALFWAY POINT

“We’re now halfway through the 2025 season and so far, the new F3 car has provided us with great racing and extremely close fights. It’s exactly what we designed this new machine for. It really helps the young drivers to show their skills in front of the fans and the F1 and F2 paddocks.

“The past three rounds were very intense, and there’s been very little rest to be had during the triple header. It’s not easy and it’s very hard on the teams and the drivers. It’s hard on everybody, really. It was non-stop.

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“I think the fact that F3 and F2 are not going to Canada and that our next race is in Austria at the end of June is really something that’s positive, because everybody will have time to recharge the batteries and get ready to go for the next events.”

VAN AMERSFOORT VICTORIOUS

“The Dutch team has claimed victory twice over the course of the triple header, first with Santiago Ramos in Imola Feature Race, and then with a 1-2 in Barcelona Sprint, led by rookie Ivan Dominguez. Add to that a P2 from newcomer Théophile Nael in the Feature Race the following day, VAR has scored of 52 points in Spain, which made them the highest point scorers that weekend.

“I’m really pleased for them. It’s a team has been progressing steadily since joining the grid. What they’re doing in F3 this season is impressive.

“Looking at the Teams’ Championship, as expected, TRIDENT has an edge and Campos Racing are in P2, not far away. MP Motorsport are currently third, but VAR is on their tail.

“It’s really good to see teams who were having challenging times previously, finally reaping the rewards of their hard work. For instance, Rodin Motorsport are also to be praised because they seem to have found the right formula to fight for big points in 2025. It was more difficult for them in Barcelona, but it’s good to see new teams coming up and doing a very good job in Formula 3.”

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ROOKIES ARE PROVING THEY’RE READY

“I always say that Formula 3 is the most difficult Championship in the world. You have 30 cars, generally at least 20 cars within a second, so it’s extremely competitive and very difficult.

“It’s always interesting to see how the rookies are doing because they’re fighting drivers who have more experience, and we all know that experience makes quite a difference in this category.

“To see three rookies on the podium in the Barcelona Feature Race is a good sign and a good thing for the future of the F3 Championship, and the future of F2 as well. So, I’m happy to see that.”

SECOND HALF UP NEXT

“I hope we can continue the way we’ve done so far. It’s been a good season. The new car has been delivering exactly what we wanted, the tyres did the job in Barcelona and I really want to thank Pirelli for that because we’re working quite a lot with them to develop and produce this kind of racing, and to make sure the drivers learn how to work with their tyres.

“I would say let’s continue like this. It’s true that we’re already halfway through the season, and it’s flying by fast. But the good thing about F3 is that we finish the season quite early at Monza, so that gives the drivers the possibility to test after the season, or even to go to F2 to start their preparations for the following season. It’s a very interesting calendar and timing that we have.”