Ernesto Rivera has left a significant mark in this year’s FIA Formula 3 championship, even though two victories and a seventh position in the standings may not fully reflect his performances.
The Mexican driver started his season as one of the three rookies supported by Red Bull, being the only one without a prior title. After an accident in New Zealand that kept him out of competition for almost four months, Rivera faced the challenge with determination, turning adversity into an impressive season.
At just 17 years old, Rivera has stood out as one of the most valued members of Red Bull’s junior team, positioning himself as one of the most promising candidates for future categories.
In interviews, Rivera commented that his season has been better than he expected. “If someone had told me before starting that I would achieve these results, I would have signed up for it,” he stated. He acknowledged that despite some areas to improve, he has made significant progress every race weekend.
The driver recognizes that he has exceeded his own expectations: “I thought I could do well, but not as well as I have managed to. I have worked hard to improve and I believe I have made great strides in each race.”
On the other hand, Rivera had to accept the fact that he could not compete in the preseason tests nor in the first race in Melbourne. Despite the difficulties, he maintained a positive mindset: “I didn’t panic. I just wanted to start the season in the best possible way by the time I got to Monaco.”
Rivera’s debut in F3 was memorable, achieving a seventh place in free practice and a fifth position on the grid, demonstrating that his return to competition was not easy, but he exceeded expectations.
His consistency in qualifying was notable, as he never qualified outside the top 12, a fact that proved crucial for handling races. Furthermore, he improved in tire management, learning one of the key lessons for a rookie in F3.
One of the highlights of his season was the race at Spa-Francorchamps, where he skillfully managed the tires and traffic, finishing in first place. “I have never been so excited inside a car,” he recalled.
Despite a decline in his performance in Monza and Madrid, where he only managed 15 points in five races, Rivera did more than enough to consolidate his reputation, scoring in nearly every race.
His view on the Campos Racing team has also been positive: “They are my family. They have treated me wonderfully throughout my career.” Rivera has learned a lot from his teammates, whom he considers among the best in the circuit.
Although his future plans have not been confirmed by Red Bull, Rivera maintains a calm attitude: “I don’t know what will happen. Whether I will stay in F3 or perhaps move up to F2, I don’t know.” If he decides to return, he will undoubtedly start as one of the title favorites.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
