The 2025 F3 pre-season testing concluded after three days of intense running at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. All ten teams gathered crucial data on the new car ahead of the season opener in a couple of weeks. Across varying track conditions Nikola Tsolov (Campos Racing) and Callum Voisin (Rodin Motorsport) emerged as key names to watch.
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Day 1: Rodin Motorsport and PREMA Racing Set the Pace
The first day of testing featured both morning and afternoon sessions, as teams and drivers adapted to the new season’s car.
Rodin Motorsport dominated the morning session, with Callum Voisin setting the fastest time of 1:27.959. He was followed by his teammates Roman Bilinski and Louis Sharp, completing a Rodin 1-2-3. ART Grand Prix drivers Laurens van Hoepen, Tuukka Taponen, and James Wharton followed closely behind.
In the afternoon, Noel León set the fastest time of the day with a 1:27.711, edging out Tim Tramnitz (MP Motorsport), who posted a 1:27.862. Sharp continued his strong form in third (1:27.898). Whilst Campos Racing’s Mari Boya (1:27.966) and Nikola Tsolov (1:28.011) rounded out the top five.
Day 2: Nikola Tsolov Does the Double
Day 2 saw an increase in pace, with Nikola Tsolov topping both sessions.
The Bulgarian driver set the fastest time of the morning with a 1:26.618. He led Tuukka Taponen at 1:26.782 and Noah Stromsted (TRIDENT) at 1:26.938. Taponen had initially set the benchmark before being overtaken by Stromsted, but Tsolov’s late charge secured him the top spot. The session was briefly halted with 40 minutes left of the session after Nicola Lacorte (DAMS Lucas Oil) stopped at the exit of Turn 8, bringing out a Red Flag.
The afternoon session saw Campos Racing dominate with a 1-2-3 until the last hour and a half. By the end of the session, Tsolova had posted a time of 1:27.249, followed by teammate Tasanapol Inthraphuvasak (1:27.448) and MP Motorsport’s Tim Tramnitz (1:27.564). Martinius Stenshorne (Hitech TGR) had briefly held third place before being displaced by Tramnitz. With Campos locking out the top three earlier in the session, the team left a strong impression heading into the final day of testing.
Day 3: Wet Conditions Shake Up the Order
The final day of testing presented a different challenge, as rain hit the circuit, leading to multiple red flag stoppages.
The wet conditions caught out several drivers, including Ivan Domingues, Bruno Del Pino (MP Motorsport), Louis Sharp, and Matías Zagazeta (DAMS Lucas Oil). The numerous incidents led to officials bringing out the red flags. As the afternoon progressed, the track dried, allowing teams to complete valuable dry running before testing ended.
TRIDENT’s Rafael Camara set the fastest time in the morning session with a 1:42.570 on wet Pirelli tires. Hard tires were set on in the afternoon allowing Callum Voisin to post the fastest lap of 1:39.031. Tramnitz and Camara completed the top three in the afternoon.
Looking Ahead
F3 pre-season testing has now ended so we must reflect on who might impress at the season opener in Albert Park. Nikola Tsolov and Callum Voisin have led Campos Racing and Rodin Motorsport as standout performers during testing. Additionally, ART Grand Prix and PREMA Racing have shown impressive speed, proving their competitiveness ahead of the new season.
With a talented grid and strong performances all round, the season opener promises an exciting and highly competitive start to 2025.
Featured Image Credit: Formula Motorsport Limited
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