Australian rookie gets surprise F3 test chance with Campos Racing

Australian junior driver Christian Heuzenroeder has received a last-minute call-up to participate in Formula 3 pre-season testing with Campos Racing, replacing the injured Ernesto Rivera. The 17-year-old will get his first taste of the FIA F3 car at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this week, joining a field that includes his compatriot James Wharton.

Why it matters:

For a young driver on the junior formula ladder, an unexpected test in a premier championship car like Formula 3 represents a critical evaluation opportunity. It allows teams to assess a driver's adaptability and feedback, while giving the driver invaluable experience in a faster, more complex machine that is one step below Formula 2 and two steps from F1.

The details:

• Heuzenroeder's opportunity arose because Campos Racing's confirmed 2025 driver, Ernesto Rivera, sustained a back injury during the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy finale at Highlands Motorsport Park in New Zealand.
• The test at the Spanish Grand Prix venue will run for three days, starting Tuesday. Heuzenroeder will share the Campos garage with American Ugo Ugochukwu and Frenchman Theophile Nael.
• This is a temporary arrangement. Rivera is already confirmed for the full FIA F3 Championship season with Campos, meaning Heuzenroeder is filling in strictly for this test session.
• The Australian's primary 2025 program is in the Eurocup-3 championship, where he will race the new Toyota-powered Dallara 326 for Campos Racing. That season begins in May at Circuit Paul Ricard.
• Campos Racing stated the test is an "opportunity to gain valuable experience at the wheel of the Formula 3 car and contribute to fine-tuning the car set-up alongside his team-mates and engineers."

What's next:

Heuzenroeder will aim to make a strong impression during the three-day test, knowing a standout performance could put him on the shortlist for future opportunities within the Campos stable or elsewhere on the F3 grid. His focus then immediately shifts to preparing for his main campaign in Eurocup-3, where consistent results will be key to progressing his career toward the ultimate goal of Formula 1.