Nael goes three from three another F3 pole in Barcelona

Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd

Theophile Nael claimed his third pole position from three attempts in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 season as he topped qualifying at Barcelona.

The Frenchman led a Campos one-two with team-mate Ugo Ugochukwu in second, 0.096 seconds clear of Hiyu Yamakoshi.

As the session got underway, DAMS driver Nicola Lacorte set the early pace with a 1m29.8633s. The Italian’s stint at the top of the field didn’t last long before Nael shot to the front with a 1m29.384s, only to be displaced by Ugochukwu who set a 1m28.707s.

ART Grand Prix’s Taito Kato claimed a provisional second with a 1m29.198s but was 0.491s adrift of top spot.

Behind them, Prema’s Louis Sharp found the gravel at turn 8, damaging his floor, while Van Amersfoort Racing’s Enzo Deligny moved into third, 0.550s behind Ugochukwu.

With 14 minutes to go, drivers returned for their second round of laps. Trident’s Freddie Slater set an opening purple sector but could only manage third, losing time in the final sector to post a 1m28.800s.

Rodin Motorsport’s Brando Badoer then went fastest with a 1m28.621s before Nael bettered that with a 1m28.263s putting him 0.358s clear.

Behind Nael, Campos team-mate Ernesto Rivera moved in behind before Ugochukwu slotted back onto the front row, 0.039s behind Nael. Badoer moved into third, 0.233s adrift.

With just minutes remaining, Hitech’s Michael Shin found the gravel in similar fashion to Sharp at turn 8 although the Korean’s excursion resulted in a broken front wing.

With track conditions changing rapidly, few drivers improved on their previous bests. Kato climbed up to fourth overall while Ugochukwu went fastest in the first sector but could only manage second, 0.120s behind Nael who secured pole.

VAR’s Yamakoshi completed the top three, while Badoer and Kato rounded out the top five. Monaco sprint race winner Gerrard Xie was 12th to claim reversed grid pole in front of James Wharton and Freddie Slater.

Qualifying results