Round 9 Post-Feature Race 2 Thoughts from the Top Three

FIA Formula 3: Tuukka Taponen, from pole position to first at the flag, your first win of the 2026 season. It was the last race of the season, but that must still be a great moment for you?

Tuukka Taponen: Yes, these last three weekends have been super good for us. We were really struggling earlier this season and it was not looking so good, to be honest. But we have done such a good job and worked so much to improve our performance. I think the results speak for themselves. It has been a super end to the year.

FIA Formula 3: Can we talk about the race today? You started from pole position alongside the not-yet FIA Formula 3 champion, Ugo Ugochukwu. In yesterday's races, every time, P2 became P1 at the first corner. Did you have that in mind when the lights went out?

Taponen: It was on my mind already last night when I was going to sleep. It was really stressful because I knew it needed to be a clean, good start. There was no need to do anything special, just make a decent start and it would be enough. That is what we did and we managed to stay ahead.

FIA Formula 3: Towards the final laps, Ugo came closer and was putting pressure on you. Was it a different kind of pressure knowing that he had everything at stake? Were you a little more relaxed seeing him behind you?

Taponen: I knew Ugo's situation. I was pretty sure he was not going to attack me. I was managing at the front and controlling the gap behind. Then I was going to push a little more at the end to get the fastest lap, which I did on the final lap. I was just keeping it on track and driving smoothly.

FIA Formula 3: At the end of the day, this is P3 in the 2026 standings for you. Knowing how difficult your season has been, are you happy with that finishing position?

Taponen: Yes, after everything we have had, I am super happy. I could not believe this a few weekends ago. I was far from P3, but it has been super close in this championship from P3 to around P10. I knew everything was possible here, especially with two Feature Races. Qualifying was key because overtaking is very difficult. I am super happy with how the season finished.

FIA Formula 3: Are your 2027 plans already set, or were you waiting for that final result before thinking about them?

Taponen: For me, it is a difficult situation. I do not have a place for next year. Struggling with the financial side is part of motorsport, but we are trying our best to do something next year. I hope we can make a decision soon.

FIA Formula 3: Thank you very much, Tuukka. An excellent job this weekend and best of luck for the future. Ugo Ugochukwu, you came into this morning at Madrid in P2, with your title rival having scored zero points yesterday and starting P8 behind you. Did you feel relaxed coming into the race, or are you never relaxed when you know you are racing for the championship?

Ugo Ugochukwu: It is hard. In a way, I knew I was in a good position to get the championship today and I knew what I needed to do to win the title, but I was not fully relaxed. You think about all the little things that can happen and that you need to stay on top of. Today was executed quite well. I knew I had a good chance on the inside to maybe go for the lead at the start, but Tuukka did a good job defending his position. From there, it felt like a very long race. I just had to manage the tyre and the gap to the drivers behind me. That is what we did. To win the championship is testament to the consistency and the job we have done throughout the year.

FIA Formula 3: Yesterday we saw three races, two Formula 3 races and one Formula 2 race, and every time P2 was leading into Turn 1. Were you playing it safer than anything else, simply wanting a clean start?

Ugochukwu: For sure, a clean start was on our minds. We could not afford a stall, a jump start or anything like that. Getting into the lead at the start would still have been nice because controlling from the front is always a little easier and cleaner, but I knew I just had to adapt to whatever situation I was in. Whether that was P2 or P3, I just managed the race as best as I could. I tried to make a move later on and put on a bit of pressure, but Tuukka was quick in the right places and I could not get quite close enough. Qualifying was the key to this weekend and we executed that well to put ourselves in a good position today on such a tricky track.

FIA Formula 3: With all the pressure and what was potentially waiting at the end, was that the most difficult race of the season for you?

Ugochukwu: It definitely was one of the most difficult races. In terms of performance, we were quick and I did not have too much pressure from behind, but at the same time you cannot afford any mistakes with such a big thing on the line. I made sure to keep it clean. We have seen a lot of damage to the cars from the kerbs here throughout the weekend and in testing as well, so I tried to be gentle with the car and make sure it reached the line.

FIA Formula 3: There was one final Safety Car period at the end and one final lap of racing. During that Safety Car period, did you think it was done, or did you wait until the chequered flag before you could really let it all go?

Ugochukwu: Initially, I thought it was going to end under the Safety Car because I saw there was no work being done on the car. My engineer also thought it was going to be over, but then he came on the radio and said there would be one more lap. I started working on my tyres again to be fully prepared for that lap. I held my breath for one lap, and once I crossed the line I could relax a little.

FIA Formula 3: From all of us at FIA Formula 3, huge congratulations on a great 2026 season. We look forward to seeing what you do next. Pedro Clerot, P3 in today's final Feature Race of the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. It is another podium after your win yesterday in the first Feature Race. What an amazing weekend you have had. How are you feeling right now?

Pedro Clerot: Very good. It was obviously a very strong weekend on our side, both for me and the team. I am very happy that we could end the season on a high. As I said before, it was a very tough year for us, but to finish like this makes it extra special. I am very happy with the work we put in after the test and also Monza. We knew coming here that we had a good chance to fight, but I try not to think about results and just focus on the work. That is what we did and that is what we achieved. Yesterday was a very good race, winning and controlling it completely. Today, we brought home good points for both the Teams' and Drivers' Championships. I am obviously very happy. Maybe we could have fought for a little more, but I will take it. After such a hard year, it is good to finish like this.

FIA Formula 3: This was your rookie season in Formula 3. What did you learn from your first season in this championship? We know it is one of the most competitive championships out there.

Clerot: For sure. You do not get much driving in this series. It is all about adapting and being in control of the things you can control. I am very happy with what we achieved. Five podiums this season is something I never imagined doing in my rookie season. We always aim to fight for the championship. It was not to be this time, but I am very happy with the work we did with Rodin this year. I have learned a lot. Rodin have been like a family to me this year and welcomed me very well from day one, so I am very happy with what we achieved. Hopefully, I can get some more silverware in whatever comes next.

FIA Formula 3: The end of the season always brings questions about what is next. You will not reveal your plans, but do you already know them, and are you happy with them?

Clerot: Yes, I am very happy with how the plans look for next year. Obviously, I cannot share them, but it is going to be very nice. I am very happy to be going where I am going. I think it is going to be a very strong year. We have the capability to fight for championships in whatever comes next. I am looking forward to it, but I also want to enjoy some free time now, spend time with my family, go back home to Brazil and celebrate a little.

FIA Formula 3: Good job on your first season, Pedro, and best of luck for what comes next.