In February 2025, AIX Racing announced the signing of Nicola Marinangeli for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 season. The Italian driver, who described his partnership with AIX Racing as an honour, will make his F3 debut alongside new teammate Javier Sagrera when the 2025 season gets underway in Melbourne.
“Such an honour for me to join the FIA Formula 3 grid with AIX Racing this year,” said Marinangeli in the press release announcing his partnership with his new team.
While Marinangeli is motivated ahead of his rookie season, he will face some unique challenges adjusting to the demands of the series. Unlike the majority of the 2025 F3 grid, Marinangeli has spent the past two seasons away from open-wheel racing. Instead, he spent 2023 and 2024 in sportscar racing, with his best result coming in the 2024 International GT Open. He placed third after an impressive season with AF Corse.
“It will be an interesting challenge for me, considering the two years racing in GT3. Couldn’t be more motivated for this experience. Let’s see what this year brings to us “
Sportcars racing expected to be an asset
During a media event, Pit Debrief asked about Marinangeli’s experience in sportscar racing and particularly, if he believed that his unique racing background would help him in F3.
The Italian driver explained that his experience in endurance racing would help him in on-track battles, and especially with tyre management which he noted was “fundamental” in open-wheel racing.
“Well, I think that endurance races will help me quite a lot with battles and tyre management, which is quite fundamental for this championship, especially with this kind of tyres that you need to treat them really kind, let’s say, during races to not lose the grip.”
“So, let’s see. I think the background will help me quite a bit.”
However, Marinangeli later acknowledged that he would need to re-adapt his driving style to better suit formula racing to maximise his ability to score points in the 2025 F3 season.
“Well, for sure I need to readapt my driving style to Formula. We will work for sure harder and I’ll try to do my best to score some points this season.”
“A really good moment” for Italian motorsport
Marinangeli was also asked about the state of Italian motorsport, particularly in feeder series such as F3, with Leonardo Fornaroli claiming the 2024 FIA Formula 3 drivers’ championship and Andrea Kimi Antonelli stepping up to Formula 1 with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team.
He replied, “I think Italy is living a really good moment in terms of motorsport.”
While he wished Fornaroli and Antonelli the best in their respective championship, Marinangeli added that he hoped that he and other Italian drivers in F3 would be able to achieve similarly good results.
“I know Kimi and Leo, so I wish them all the best and I will be there to support.”
“Let’s see if we can continue this journey. We are three Italian drivers this year in F3, so I think we can do good and achieve quite good results.”
