After a complicated start to his debut season in FIA Formula 3, Fernando Barrichello has steadily progressed despite uncertainty about the future of the AIX Racing team.
The young Brazilian driver, son of the former Formula 1 hopeful Rubens Barrichello, has begun to stand out during the summer, earning points at the Hungaroring and qualifying seventh in Monza.
In a recent interview, Barrichello, known as ‘Fefo’, shared his experiences in F3 and the significance of continuing the family legacy.
“It has been a very tough season, to be honest. There have been moments when I was doing a good job, but things didn’t go as we expected. However, we never stopped working hard, and the changes that have been made have greatly improved the situation,” he states.
The driver acknowledges that the learning process has been costly. “It’s easy to fall into frustration, but I’ve tried to focus on what I can control and explore alternatives,” he adds. Barrichello highlights his growing technical understanding of the vehicle, which has allowed him to actively participate in the car’s development.
Despite the fame of his last name, he faced initial difficulties, as he did not have the financial support to test before the competition. This forced him to learn in competitions, under the watchful eyes of the judges.
Barrichello made his F3 debut in a one-off appearance in Monza at the end of the previous season, but this year he made the leap from Euroformula Open. In this regard, he acknowledges that the change has been significant, not so much due to the car’s performance as the structure of the race weekend.
The driver has struggled to qualify adequately due to the initial circumstances of this season, with two consecutive street circuits. In his first qualifying sessions, Barrichello ended up over two seconds off the pole.
As the months went by, Barrichello has made better use of opportunities, managing to earn his first points at the Hungaroring. However, his efforts were thwarted in a later race when an incident with a teammate took him out in the first lap.
Moreover, AIX Racing has been affected by the loss of experience within the team, which has further complicated their season. All of this has occurred in the context of the team’s sale, with changes in management and work dynamics.
Barrichello experienced an emotional moment during the weekend in Monza, with his father, Rubens, present, who achieved his last victory in F1 at this very circuit. The relationship with his father is very close, and he emphasizes the importance of learning from his knowledge and experience.
Despite the challenges, Barrichello acknowledges that there is room for improvement and that he wants to keep working because, even though he occupies the 28th position in the current standings, he is determined to demonstrate his potential on the track.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
