The 2025 Hungarian F3 Grand Prix will be remembered as a high-intensity weekend for Théophile Naël. On the twisty and technical Hungaroring circuit, the young French driver showcased his meteoric progress once again with two Top 5 finishes and crucial points for the championship.
Qualifying – Top 5 with courage in an ultra-tight pack
Friday's qualifying, held on a dry track contrary to forecasts, started in complex conditions for Théophile. A challenging practice session had seen him finish 23rd, over a second off the best time. However, thanks to a meticulous analysis with his engineer, the trend reversed.
Result: a solid fifth-fastest time, just 0.012 seconds off the Top 3, demonstrating his composure and adaptability. This result also secured him 8th place on the reversed grid for Saturday’s sprint race, an ideal position to be competitive.
Sprint Race – Resisting in the chaos
Saturday saw an intense sprint race, marked by numerous incidents and a late neutralisation. Starting 8th, Théophile Naël stood his ground against his rivals, particularly in a rough duel with Noël León (Prema), who would be penalised post-race for a controversial contact.
Despite this positional loss, the driver from Saint-Étienne finished 9th and added 2 points to the championship, a good result given the tension in the pack. Another proof of his maturity in racing and calmness in chaotic moments.
Main Race – Brilliant in the rain
Sunday brought the real challenge: rain at the Hungaroring. Start under the safety car, reduced visibility, treacherous track… and yet, Théophile stood out. Starting 5th, he maintained his position in a race where errors were plentiful among his rivals.
With a car set up imperfectly, making driving unstable, Théophile once again displayed his technique: precise trajectories, intelligent defending, and zero mistakes. Result: a brilliant 5th place, earned through hard-fought competition in extreme conditions.
The discreet yet decisive support of 321 Perform
Behind this performance lies a fundamental effort: that of Xavier Feuillée and the 321 Perform team, who support Théophile in mental and physical preparation. Thanks to them, he gains resilience, stress management, and consistency, essential qualities at this level of competition.
🎙️ “Working continuously with professionals allows me to reach new levels every weekend”, Théophile confides.
Assessment and heading to Monza – A Top 5 in the championship in sight
This 2025 Hungarian F3 Grand Prix confirms one thing: Théophile Naël is a high-level driver, capable of performing in adversity as well as under pressure. With his results, he consolidates his 7th place in the championship, just 10 points from the Top 5.
👉 Next stop: Monza, the final round of the season. On this legendary, fast, and strategic track, Théophile and his team are aiming for a final podium. Nothing is certain, but the momentum is there.
