Mixed so far but optimistic for the final double-header: Noah Stromsted on his F3 season so far

Noah Stromsted sits sixth in the FIA Formula 3 Drivers' Championship after what has been a mixed year up to this stage.

The Dane has stood on the top step of the podium following a great drive in Spielberg, but other moments have limited his scoring potential.

Reflecting on the campaign to date ahead of the summer break, the TRIDENT driver explains where he's struggled and why he's optimistic going into the final races of 2026.

"It started out quite tough this year, I have to say, with penalties and a bit of performance," he admitted. "But I think from the midway point, we made a good step and from there, we've been fighting at the front where we should be.

"Looking at Spielberg, we had a very good car from the start there and then everything becomes easier just building on that. You don't have to think so much about what to do with the car and it's just about focusing on driving.

"I think at some tracks, we've been starting out on the wrong foot, I would say. Then, I've been doing some mistakes driving myself also. So just a combination of that.

"I think when you have a better understanding of everything before driving, you know what to expect more or less. So that makes it easier. You start with the car in the window and then can focus on maximising the driving."

After that win around the Red Bull Ring and a great haul of points the following weekend at Silverstone, the final two rounds prior to the break did not go to plan.

It left Stromsted outside of the top five in the Standings, with two points across the four races. He says that the break comes at a good time for him to reset ahead of a vital double-header that takes the Championship to Monza and then Madrid.

"Spa in the end - the qualifying was okay before the penalty for both races, then it becomes a bit tougher. For some reason, we're lacking quite a bit of race pace, which normally we have been quite strong.

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"I think it's good to have a bit of a break. We've been on it since Monaco. So I think it'll be good to have a break and just get away a bit and try to understand and be ready for the last two rounds.

"I still have quite a bit of sim in between then and now. So I wouldn't call it a full break. But it's just a bit more time at home and a bit more relaxing, but still working on the sim and preparing."

Drivers will head to the Madring prior to racing resuming at Monza for a vital two-day test around the new venue.

Stromsted says that the test will be pivotal with nobody knowing what to expect and the test will give everyone the chance to learn in the real world as opposed to the simulator.

After that however, all bets are off, with the typically chaotic Monza Qualifying session and a double-Feature Race finale in Madrid.

The TRIDENT driver says he'll remain focused on himself throughout rather than setting a points goal.

"I think it's very useful for us. Of course, nobody knows the track and to go there without any knowledge, it's very difficult. That's even more true with the double Feature Race schedule we have, where there's a lot of points at stake, so it's very good to have the test before.

"Monza - I'm expecting a quite chaotic weekend, to be honest. A bit like last year, the races are very fun, but the qualifying will be, I think, a big mess, like the last couple of years. I mean, we'll take what we can from there, but I think it'll be a difficult weekend.

"In the end, it's just focusing on myself, focusing on where we can get the performance and on driving, and then see in the end in Madrid where we end up. Of course, I'm quite a few points behind first and second, so if we're to fight for those positions, I think something needs to happen. You never know though."