After learning over his rookie season, Noel Leon will return to FIA F3 for a second year in 2025 with PREMA.
The Mexican driver improved over the season and was a consistent points finisher towards the end of the campaign at Van Amersfoort Racing in FIA F3.
After stepping up from the EuroFormula Open Championship and adjusting to a much quicker car, Leon had a lot of learning to do.
He got his breakthrough moment at Imola with a third-place finish in the Sprint Race before driving to three more podiums.
Leon will return to the championship next season with PREMA but told the official FIA F3 website he is expecting a more challenging season in 2025.
Noel Leon explained that FIA F3 will be ‘more difficult’ as a new car is being introduced
The Mexican was at the front of the field during the final few rounds of the championship, and Leon continued that good form into post-season testing.
He was very quick at Jerez, which should bode well for next season, although the testing was run in the old car.
The new car should level the playing field slightly and reduce the advantage second-year drivers normally have when returning to FIA F3.
Leon explained that he expects a difficult season despite moving to PREMA, which won the Teams’ Championship, and the calendar remains unchanged.
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He said: “For me, the second half of the campaign was really strong. We were fighting for podiums, pole positions, everything. The goal now is to fight for the Championship.
It’s going to be exciting because it’s a new era of Formula 3. That’s going to make it more difficult but to be honest, I’m really, really looking forward to it. I’m working hard with the team already and myself to be in a position to be fight for the title.
“It’s important to finish every race in the points, we need to avoid mistakes that reduce our points and that could change the approach. But with my preparations, I will be more ready than ever.”
Noel Leon will have a lot of competition for the championship in 2025
Leon could be a contender for the title next season, having developed in his rookie season and consistently competed at the front of the field.
There will be many drivers ready to take the title, including rookies, including Rodin driver and GB3 champion Louis Sharp.
Spaniard Mari Boya was very competitive at Jerez, setting the fastest time of the two-day test, an impressive feat to end the year.