Brando Badoer has completely flipped the script. The Italian driver bounced back from a brutal 2025 rookie campaign where he finished 25th in the standings, fighting all the way back to seventh in the championship for 2026 with Rodin Motorsport.
Speaking at the season finale in Madrid, Badoer made it clear just how proud he is of the journey. "It's definitely been a good season overall," he said, pointing to the "lots of good races, important races and memories with the team." He added: "Of course, we got the Monaco win, and we got four podiums, and we worked really well throughout the year."
Going into every tiny detail when things are not as good as they should... helps you fix them and make them good for the next time,
That hard work put him right in the mix at the sharp end of the field. Coming into the final round in Madrid, the 20-year-old was only a couple of points off third place in the championship and fighting for the top five. While he admits there were moments where points slipped away—noting that "it's normal and it's that way for everyone" with a mix of good and bad luck—the overall trajectory was unmistakable.
Compared to the disaster of 2025, this year was about redemption and proving what he could really do. "I'm definitely happy to have shown the world my potential. The worst season was last year," Badoer explained. "I usually always perform at a high level, but last year for many reasons it was impossible. Definitely tough moments make you stronger."
He was quick to credit the people around him for the recovery, calling the outfit from Rodin a family that helped him fight at the top of the standings. Consistency remained a challenge in a category as brutal as Formula 3, but Badoer's relentless focus on the tiny details became his ultimate weapon. "Going into every tiny detail when things are not as good as they should... helps you fix them and make them good for the next time," he noted.
Ask him for the absolute peak of the year, and there's no hesitation. Winning in Monaco takes the crown, complete with a celebration that had to be cut short because Barcelona was waiting right around the corner.
