Théophile Nael: ‘No doubt’ about pace and raised expectations ahead of Monaco

Théophile Nael has been busy preparing for the next phase of the 2026 campaign and believes Campos Racing are on the front foot heading into Round 2 and Monte Carlo.

The Frenchman was fighting for Feature Race victory in Melbourne until a penalty for a false start relegated him outside the top 10.

Despite the setback, Nael is confident that he’s prepared well for Monaco in the break, and says his approach will not change.

“I've been training quite a lot, and doing some things with the team. I went to Valencia a few weeks to train, and to try to develop the car with the team as well.

“I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season. The next round in Monaco will be the restart of the season. We still have eight rounds left, so it will be quite interesting. Let's see how it will go. I think the mindset and how I'm approaching the next round will be the same as in Melbourne.”

Speaking more about his approach to the 2026 campaign and what is his second year in the Championship, Nael says it has been a positive to have had time off in the break since Australia.

He also highlighted the importance of the in-season test around Red Bull Ring prior to the resumption of racing action, and that the two-day event in Spielberg will count for a lot in the coming races.

“I have had time to reset, that's for sure. But what I need to think is that the pace was there. We were strong the whole weekend. I have no doubt about my speed, and about the team. I'm fully confident.

“The season is still really long. Everything can happen in F3. I will not push more than what I was doing, just keep driving.

“Red Bull Ring will be quite interesting and quite important for us. It will be a really important test. I think Red Bull Ring is a good track to test as well. It will be a good wake-up test.

Looking ahead to Monaco, Nael says that Campos’ performance so far in 2026 has filled him with confidence and, along with his teammates, he expects to be fighting at the sharp end once again.

He added that he hopes to use the experience he gained around the Principality in his rookie campaign to his advantage.

“To restart there will not be easy, but that's the same for every driver on the grid. I think we have quite a good advantage of where we are in the pitlane. It will be important to make some clean laps and to be fighting for the pole.

“I need to work really hard every weekend. I also have really good teammates. We are pushing each other to the top, but I think that's good because we are pushing the team as well to develop the car. I will take it round by round, keep working and stay calm. I think that's the most important and that's what I learned from last year as well.”