Returning for his second campaign in FIA Formula 3, Bruno del Pino will switch to Van Amersfoort Racing in 2026 in what is an exciting opportunity according to the Spaniard.
With a best finish of P2 in the first half of the season at the Imola Sprint Race, momentum was hard to come by in 2025. But Del Pino says that a change in scenery is already looking positive for next year.
He said his decision to move was straight forward, adding that he already feels confident with his new team after the three post-season tests last month.
“For sure, super excited. Last season was a season with a lot of up and downs. I think I showed that the Qualifying pace that we had was really competitive. But I struggled a bit, especially on getting the points I thought I should have had.
“But, when we got the offer from VAR, being able to make change in a kind of way, to reset a bit for next season, I didn’t think twice.
“So far, after the post-season test, I’m really, really happy with how the team works. The ethic and the motivation is high, and I’m really looking forward to the next year.”
Del Pino got his first opportunity with the Dutch outfit in Jerez, with Barcelona and Imola following on in six days of testing following the end of the 2025 campaign.
It was the chance for drivers to get accustomed to their new surroundings, and reflecting on the six days of track time, the 19-year-old said it was a crucial experience as he aimed to get up to speed with his ’26 team as quickly as possible.
“Testing is really, really, really important, just to get a chance to see how the team is going to work throughout the winter, especially in the months after the tests, we’re basically not going to have track time up until February in Barcelona.
The relationship I’m building with them is important”
“So it was really good to know where we are at the moment, even though it’s not quite representative with what the other teams are doing. But to experience how everything is working, on track, with the teammates, it was really, really important for me.
“The tests were quite positive, always within the top 10, everything worked way better than I expected. I know that the car is fast from last year, but also to see how the team works was for me, the most important factor.
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“I was really super happy on how things turned out. The relationship I’m building with them is important as well. So, I think it was really, really important for me.”
While he is learning new names and faces with VAR, something that will be familiar to him is the calendar for 2026, with only one new circuit to learn in Madrid compared to this season.
Understanding the tracks having driven them in an F3 car, along with the procedures and general rhythm of the weekend is “a key point” for Del Pino, and an aspect his is looking forward to entering year two in the Championship.
“I think it’s really important not only knowing the tracks, but knowing how things are going to turn out. I remember in Melbourne, my first ever F3 Qualifying, things didn’t turn out really the way I wanted, because everything was really different to how I expected it.
“Coming from Eurocup, it was a completely different approach to Qualifying. So knowing the tracks is going to be a plus.
“But all F3 drivers can be competitive quite an early stage in Free Practice, so everything’s going to be quite tight, but to have a bit of knowledge on how things are, I think it’s a key point.”
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In general, focus now switches from the racetrack to the gym and simulator as the drivers work on their preparations for 2026 in the winter break.
For the Van Amersfoort driver, most of his time between now and pre-season testing will be spent visiting the team and training to ensure year two in F3 is as successful as possible.
“I’ll be working out, being mentally and physically prepared, probably a lot of travel, going to visit the team, that’s for sure.
“We cannot do much more because we cannot drive the car until February, but everything between now and then will be about getting as ready as possible for the start of the season. I will do everything it takes.”
