Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Prema has named Jose Garfias as one of its drivers in FIA Formula 3 this year, replacing the previously signed Enzo Deligny.
It was announced at the start of October last year that Formula Regional Europe and Middle East race-winner Deligny would be stepping up to F3 in 2026 with Prema, but amid major staffing changes at the team it was confirmed yesterday after several media reports on the matter that he would instead be driving for rival team Van Amersfoort Racing this year.
The founding Rosin family has now departed Prema, along with other senior figures, and its parent company DC Racing Solution’s financial situation has led to ongoing uncertainty about whether its IndyCar squad will be on track this season.
Garfias has spent the last two years in the F3-level Euroformula championship, coming seventh with four podiums and a pole as a part-timer in 2024 then improving to fourth in 2025 with three victories and seven other podiums.
“Ready to take on this new challenge with Prema in F3,” said the 21-year-old Mexican.
“It’s a big step in the right direction for my career. Racing in F3 is something that I have been working towards for the last few years, and doing it with Prema means a lot to me. Very thankful for everyone who is making this possible, and grateful to Prema for giving me the opportunity to prove myself on a bigger stage. I’m ready to make the most of it.”
The FIA F3 Championship introduced a new car last year, and Prema slipped to seventh in the standings after winning the teams’ title in five of the six seasons using the preceding car.
Garfias has F3 experience from a 2025 cameo with AIX Racing. He will return to the cockpit in pre-season testing at Barcelona next week.
“We are happy to welcome Jose for the season,” said Prema’s F3 team manager Goffredo Pirro.
“Even though he will be competing full-time in the series for the first time this year, he has a good amount of experience in Eurocup-3 and Euroformula, so I think he will quickly adapt himself to the new environment and get positive results.”
Garfias was fourth in Eurocup-3 two years ago when it was a FRegional-based series, making the podium five times. He will be team-mate in F3 to Louis Sharp and James Wharton.