Formula 3: MONZA
Better Racing in Monza
This weekend in Monza saw the return of the two-group qualifying session, previously seen earlier this season in Monaco. While Ernesto Rivera and Mattia Colnaghi agreed that this format made sense after the messy qualifying session seen in Spa, James Wharton claimed he wasn’t sure if the two-group session helps all that much in Monza. However, all drivers agreed that the one push qualifying will be quite exciting, especially given the new DRS zone between turns 10 and 11, when approaching the final turn and parabolica.
Another point all three drivers agreed on was that this new DRS zone will make for “more exciting racing in Monza,” and Mattia believes it may even help with the dirty air issue that is so common in Formula 3. James believes that the DRS zone will make leading the race until the last lap “useless”, and Ernesto agreed, stating that “you won’t want to overtake until the last turn.”
When asked to reflect on past wins at Monza in the Europe cup 3 series, Colnaghi and Rivera shared some of what they would be bringing to track this weekend based on their previous experiences. Colnaghi shared that while he learned that racing in Monza is promoted by the long straights, it “all really depends on your track position and what situation you’re in.” Rivera discussed the huge impact the toe effect has at Monza, and how whichever driver is P1 will have to “fight for it.” Additionally, after his Europe cup 3 experience, the Mexican driver expects to have good results in qualifying this year in Monza.
Return to the track
This weekend is the penultimate race of the 2026 season, leaving just one more race weekend in Madrid after Monza this weekend. The drivers reflected on how they get back into the right mindset after the summer break, and what their best drives of the season were.
Wharton described his season as “very up and down,” but he noted Barcelona as his best and most “mature” race of the season, stating it was his “opportunity to show what he could do.” When asked how he felt about his growth and evolution as a driver, the Australian driver admitted he has not achieved what he wanted to have achieved by now, and feels he is “not working at his full potential.” However, he also expressed gratitude for his experiences to showcase what he can do, such as his appearance at Red Bull Ring, and his win at Barcelona.
Colnaghi credited his last two race weekends, in Budapest and Spa, as his best of the season. He expressed how good it felt to compete back at the top and bring home points after a “difficult start to the season.” Rivera also considered Spa his best drive of the season, after winning the feature race, and gaining a lot of valuable insight on the medium compound tyre.
The drivers all acknowledged how great it was to have a break; however, it didn’t feel like very long. They discussed how they all plan to approach Monza like any other weekend and used the break as a small reset to focus their energy on the remainder of the season. The drivers were also questioned about their thoughts on the announcement of Lando Norris’ new single-seater junior racing team- LN4 Fusion. All three drivers expressed excitement at the news, and admiration towards Lando for giving support to junior drivers. They also all believe LN4 Fusion will become a competitive team, as Ernesto states that Norris “knows how to create a winning team.”
Race results
Monza may not have gone entirely to the drivers’ expectations. Ernesto Rivera had a promising qualifying session, qualifying p5, and going on to finish p7 in the sprint race. However, in the feature race, the Campos Racing driver was forced to retire the car to the pits on lap 12, after damage to the front wing, ending his weekend early. James Wharton had opposite luck, unable to find pace in qualifying and given a time penalty in the sprint race, but finishing p10 in the feature race, taking home a point. Mattia Colnaghi qualified p9 but was also given a 5-second time penalty in the sprint. A post-race penalty in the feature race dropped him down to a p19 finish.
Looking forward
With just one race weekend left of the season, the drivers shared their thoughts after testing at the Madrid circuit, and how they felt about the consecutive qualifying sessions. Ernesto and Mattia agreed that after completing test laps, Madrid is the most difficult track all season, and it is incredibly easy to make mistakes. James described it as a “very big challenge,” but “the most fun they’ll have all season.” As for the consecutive qualifying sessions, James believes it is “more of an issue for the championship leaders,” and not for those who have “less to lose,” like himself, who currently sits 19th in the championship standings. Mattia mentioned how he believed the most difficult part of the consecutive qualifying sessions is deciding how much to push in qualifying one. Ernesto agreed, adding that a crash in qualifying one could ruin your weekend.
When asked If there was anything they would change about the current format of the Formula 3 season, Ernesto Rivera said he wouldn’t, claiming the current structure is exciting, and well-suited for the junior drivers. James Wharton disagreed, arguing that adding more races to the calendar would be greatly beneficial to the sport, and that 10 races are just not enough time in the car. Mattia Colnaghi agreed with both drivers, ultimately feeling that while the sport’s current format is quite exciting, more races would be a great addition looking forward.
