Brando Badoer: ‘Top 3 the target’ as he analyses F3 season so far

Brando Badoer has enjoyed a positive campaign in 2026 so far. Currently sat fifth in the Drivers’ Championship with two rounds to go, the Rodin Motorsport driver is proud of his and his team’s efforts.

Ahead of the racing resuming in Monza, the Italian sat down to reflect on his year so far, analysing what has worked and what the team will be targeting in the final races.

Overall though, Badoer says things have been positive, especially considering he’s been with a new team for his second F3 season.

“It's gone pretty well,” Badoer summarised. “It's been a solid year so far for myself and the team. We're all working well together, but of course we're always looking to do better.

“The championship is very competitive, so we need to keep improving and secure even better results in the future.”

Four podiums including a victory in Monte Carlo have meant that the Italian driver has come on leaps and bounds in comparison to a tricky rookie campaign in 2025.

He believes that the work he and Rodin have put in both ahead of the season opener in Melbourne and the continued efforts across 2026 have brought the impressive results.

Neither party is resting however and relaxing. With two rounds to go and a top three in the Standings still a very realistic prospect, Badoer wants to end the campaign on the highest possible note.

“I think it's a combination of things, but definitely I think the key is the hard work we’ve put in and it's what I'm looking for to keep doing together with the team to keep up the pace.

“First win in F3 on Grand Prix Sunday in Monaco felt even more special. Definitely something I was looking forward to since I was a kid.

“But, at the same time, the championship is very long and at the end of the day the goal is the championship, so you need to turn the page and keep pushing to create other memories like that.”

Improvements from 2025 are various according to the 19-year-old, who believes that steps have been made across the board, from single-lap pace to race management.

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Along with an improved Rodin package for this season, the combination has brought impressive results with teammate Pedro Clerot also achieving several podiums so far this year.

“Last year there were a lot of things I couldn't control and of course it was a tough season. This year together with the team we've been building a solid base and everyone is working well.

“We are all focused on the goal and the championship is long and we need to stay grounded and keep pushing and keep maximising everything we've got.

“It's definitely important in such a competitive championship to be fast on the one lap and on the race pace because races are easier when you start at the front.

“They’re the kind of results that you get when you work really hard and we are ready to fight in the next races and let's see what we've got for the final rounds.”

Currently four points adrift from third place in the Drivers’ Standings, Badoer’s target is clear in the final rounds. Though a Championship bid is all but over, with the points deficit now at 59, he’ll arrive in Monza and Madrid with the mentality of a title fighter.

Along with that determination, he’ll be focused on recapturing the consistency he enjoyed in the early phase of 2026. But whatever happens, it’ll be full attack between now and the final chequered flag at the Madring.

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“Consistency is definitely important, for me and for the team because it keeps you in a good flow, it's the kind of momentum we're looking forward to maintaining that when we get going once again.

“We are looking to do well and maximise everything we have from now up until the last round so we'll just see then where we end up of course. The goal I think for most of the drivers is to win the championship, so that's the mindset we are approaching the weekends with.

“You just kind of have to take things as they come. I think the key is maximising every lap you get in FP, every lap you get in quali and trying to make the fewest mistakes possible and at the end, I think it will be shown in the championship standings that we have done a better job.

“We've had a break and a little rest before going again for the last couple of race weekends, but for sure it will be an intense end for the teams, for the drivers but it's important to keep up the momentum and use all the energy we've got.”