Pedro Clerot on his rookie F3 campaign, improvements and why winning is 'a matter of time'

Pedro Clerot has been enjoying an impressive season as a rookie in FIA Formula 3. The Brazilian driver has taken three podiums already with Rodin Motorsport, sits 10th in the Drivers' Standings and is closing in on a first victory in the Championship.

With the summer break now upon us, he looked back at what he'd accomplished so far, talked in depth about his thoughts on the year so far and where the areas of improvement are.

"We can be satisfied with what we've done," Clerot explained. "It's been a little bit on the inconsistent side, but I think as a rookie and with Rodin, we've built a good relationship so far and we've been doing a good job, especially the last few rounds.

"I'm happy and enjoying my racing and I think it's been a decent rookie season so far. As drivers we aim to be fighting for the championship, even though you are a rookie.

"But being close to Brando, a second-year driver, and scoring some decent points are results that we can be proud of. I think we could be a bit further up, but still we've been doing a decent job."

Having secured podiums in Monte Carlo, Spielberg and Spa, the Rodin driver now has his sights set on a maiden win in F3, something he says is 'a matter of time.'

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Based on his speed and wheel-to-wheel prowess so far in 2026, you wouldn't bet against him. He says that there's proof in his results he has what it takes to make that final step in performance and achieve that goal before the end of the season.

"We're fighting guys like Ernesto and some good second-year guys as well. To be fighting with the top teams and the top drivers even though I'm a rookie proves we can be up there.

"I think the win is a matter of time, honestly. It hasn't come yet, but it's a matter of time. I've been working a lot lately, especially the last few weeks to try to make it happen.

"If we just put our head down, work hard, we can achieve some good results. I'm just focused on doing my job, trying to maximise every little bit and I think in doing that the win is a matter of time. Things will come together and I'm sure it will happen soon."

While he's been happy for the most part, Clerot acknowledges things on a Friday haven't always gone to plan, and that's been a factor that's taken its toll over the course of the year.

Still, he's hopeful that in the final two rounds of the season, and with another Qualifying session in Madrid to contend with, he and his team can show their true potential over a flying lap and therefore giving himself a great chance of more positive results.

"I wouldn't even say it's a one-lap issue. I think we've been very unlucky. We had the brake issue in Melbourne, which completely ruined our Qualifying and we had a really strong Free Practice, being P7. I think we had for sure the pace to be inside the top 12.

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"Monaco, we had a good Qualifying, nothing to say there, but then heading into Barcelona we had a couple of issues also that were out of mine and the team's control. Red Bull Ring, we qualified top 10 and we had a very good weekend, but then in Silverstone we had our lap completely ruined before it even started. I had a moment before the third set which compromised the whole qualifying.

"So I think generally we've been a bit unlucky, but in the end we still have to do the job. There were a couple of things I could have done better that could possibly have put us in a better position, but I think for sure we've been improving every weekend.

"That's the main thing as a rookie - trying to learn and understand what we can do to improve and then be up there. I think qualifying is an area that we can improve, but I think it's coming towards us lately."

With a view to Monza and Madrid, Clerot says he is optimistic that he and Rodin can finish the campaign on a high note.

He highlighted the importance of the in-season test around the Madring as crucial to everyone's finale with two Feature Races. He hopes to go on and finish his rookie season in the top five of the Drivers' Championship.

"The team actually had a good round in Monza last year with Roma taking the win on the sprint. I think Monza is always a bit of a lottery. It's always a bit of a tricky track, but I think we should be okay.

"The team has been doing a good job this year with the car. Also, Madrid being a new track, but a street track normally suits us quite well. I think Monaco is a good example of that, but generally I'm just excited.

"We have the test in Madrid before, so that will be very useful to get back driving after the summer break and get a good feeling again. Hopefully, we have two good weekends, score good points in Madrid, because that's going to be worth a bit more and finish the championship on a good note.

"Obviously, the aim and the target is always to be fighting in the top five. That's my goal, but I'm just focused on doing my job race by race and it should come together."