Villagomez signs with HWA RACELAB for 2021

HWA RACELAB will hand Rafael Villagomez his Formula 3 debut in 2021, announcing that the Mexican racer will join Matteo Nannini at the German outfit.

Villagomez will make the step up from French Formula 4, where he took a podium and finished sixth overall in the 2020 campaign.

The Mexican earned his entry into the Championship through winning a 2019 contest ran by the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy, beating out 16 other young drivers.

The 19-year-old also ran four rounds in the Euroformula Open series with HWA AG Technology, and in British F4, where he claimed a podium.

“I’m really happy and proud to announce that I will drive in the FIA F3 championship with HWA RACELAB,” said Villagomez. “After my first year in Formula, the step will be big but I’m sure that I’m going to learn a lot and that we will do a great job all together!

“Thanks to the team, but also to my family, to everyone who is trusting in me and my manager Tom Claessen who has been helping me since the beginning. I can’t wait to start the season!"

Team Principal Thomas Strick added: “In Rafael, we welcome another promising young talent into our team for the coming FIA Formula 3 season. He has shown that he has the drive you need to succeed, not least with his victory in the Richard Mille Young Talent Academy contest.

“You need that determination in order to be successful in the fiercely-competitive FIA Formula 3 Championship.”

Photograph: Twenty-one création / Patrick Hecq