Barrichello describes F3 step up as a ‘dream come true’ as prepares for 2026 with AIX

24 October 2025

Fernando Barrichello described his graduation to Formula 3 as a “big dream” as he continues to get to grips with everything ahead of the 2026 season.

After two seasons in the Euroformula Championship, where he achieved two victories and 11 podiums in total, the AIX Racing driver made the step up to F3 at the end of the 2025 campaign in Monza.

Since then, Barrichello has also taken part in the three post-season tests, preparing for next year, and when asked about his step up to F3, he spoke of his excitement at the opportunity.

“It's truly a dream come true, I was just talking about it just now,” said Barrichello. “I am trying to keep it cool but honestly, it's a big dream, being here you dream of it.

“It's always very distant just with how difficult things become and with how many good drivers there are, you dream of it and you have to believe it, but it's tough, so it's a big dream to be here.”

On his debut in Monza, Barrichello qualified at the back of the field, however, he made his way forward in the Sprint Race to P17, but retired in the Feature.

Barrichello has been taking part in the three post-season tests after also competing in the final round in Monza

The Brazilian sees it as good experience for next year, as he got to witness first hand how a Formula 3 race weekend works, giving him a good understanding for 2026.

“The start has been quite tough for me,” he said. “I obviously had not driven in F3, so it was the first time driving the car in Monza, I only got to do a couple of laps in Monza, so it's been a bit tough to understand everything, it's very different to what I was used too.

“So because of the lack of experience, having to learn everything in front of everyone, but that's okay. I think putting the ego aside, and just learning as much as possible has been great for me.

“Having to learn everything in a short period of time, adapting to different situations, new tracks, and everything, it's exciting, and the potential is there. So I am sure we are going to do some special things next year.

“We have three very strong drivers, and in such a competitive series to have three good guys working together to evolve the car, so it's happy days.”

Barrichello has been working with his new teammates across the three test days but he also knows Brad Benavides and Yevan David from their time racing in other categories.

Barrichello says the last few weeks in the F3 car have been a learning experience for him

With those three as well as the positive atmosphere that AIX have, the 20-year-old believes they have a lot of potential for next year as a team.

Alongside that, the fact that Barrichello can see the improvements each time he went on track during all six days of testing, make him optimistic about what is to come.

“I think what's great is that every session you go out there are more things to understand, you get more comfortable in the car,” he said.

“In the beginning everything is going very quickly because you have never driven the car before but the more you drive, the calmer everything becomes. You can think more and get yourself more comfortable. The more time I get on track, the better it is.”

Focusing on next year, Barrichello is feeling positive about his chances of being competitive. While he is taking things on a race by race basis, he says aiming for top positions on the grid should be the mindset.

Barrichello feels he is getting better in the car each time that he drives

“Obviously you have to acknowledge that some teams are at a high level,” he added. “You have to give kudos to them. But if you look at AIX Racing, they have been improving so much, they scored poles this season. For you to score a pole you need to have a good driver, but also a good car.

“We see a lot of potential in them, we look at them as an underrated team. I’m here to win, and I believe we can fight for it. But we need to be there, and then we need to find the consistency to always be there, and then we can think in advance.

“But I don't like to think championships, I go one race at a time. We have to be consistently in the top 10 and top five to fight for things.”