The young man from Leiria, the first Portuguese driver in the FIA Formula 3 world championship in 12 years, began the Barcelona tests with an “excellent adaptation to the new car” and was also considered one of the best rookies on the track, with the 7th time in the morning session.
Two more days of work follow. “We will try to take maximum learning and development from this super competitive environment in Formula 3”
Ivan Domingues, an 18-year-old Portuguese driver who signed a contract with the prestigious Dutch team, Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR), to fully compete in the 2025 season of the FIA Formula 3 Championship, completed the first day of official testing in Barcelona today with a “very positive” assessment, of excellent adaptation to the new car, even giving good indications on the stopwatch (7th fastest and one of the best rookies on the track in the morning session).
“It was a great day of work and adaptation. The first sensations in the new car were very positive and we tested several aerodynamic and tyre solutions. We only had one technical problem in the afternoon session, where we always ran without DRS. The first objective is not about time, we want above all to evolve, get to know the car and test different solutions, but, if possible, we always like to go a little faster…”, joked the driver, who recorded the 21st best time in the afternoon session.
“We know how extremely competitive we are in Formula 3. There are 20 drivers in almost one second and one detail can make the difference between fighting for the podium or being in the last 10. We will try to learn and develop as much as possible from this highly competitive environment, to continue growing,” said the young driver from Rio.
Ivan Domingues faces two more days of tests this Thursday and Friday. The official season starts at the Australian Grand Prix (14-16 March). The VAR driver will be the first Portuguese to fully compete in the Formula 3 World Championship, 12 years after António Félix da Costa, in one of the main stages of access to Formula 1. The FIA Formula 3 World Championship, which accompanies the Formula 1 ‘circus’ in a total of ten Grands Prix, then continues in Bahrain – Sakhir, Italy – Imola, Monaco – Monte Carlo, Spain – Barcelona, Austria – Splielberg, Great Britain – Silverstone, Belgium – Spa Francorchamps, Hungary – Budapest, and Italy – Monza. Each weekend offers two races, with the particularity that the first (Sprint Race) starts with the top 12 on the starting grid in inverted positions.
About Ivan Domingues
Ivan Domingues (Leiria, 5/5/2006) started karting, inspired by his father and brother, when he was 8 years old. At the age of 9, he participated in the first Portuguese championship. He won the Brazilian Kart Cup and was National Vice-Champion in 2017, 2018 and 2019. At the age of 14, he moved to Italy to professionalize his training and make the leap to Formula 4. Last season, in 2024, already in FRECA (Formula Regional Europe by Alpine), he stood out as one of the best rookies (two podiums and a best rookie in 3 races). In 2025, he leapt the FIA Formula 3 Championship, one of the main antechambers to Formula 1, completing the full season at the service of the prestigious Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR). Its references are Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen. Besides cars, he is passionate about sports and animals.
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