Australian Christian Mansell will make the next step in his open-wheel career after securing a seat in the 2023 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

The 17-year-old has been confirmed to race for Spanish outfit Campos Racing for the full season as he looks to build on an already promising career. 

Mansell will enter the season with some valuable experience in the third tier of Formula 1 already, with the New South Welshman having contested rounds in Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps earlier this year for Czech outfit Charouz Racing System.

His mature performances and raw potential in that two-round stint, along with some successful test sessions in Jerez saw him named as the eighth confirmed driver for the 2023 season and the first for Campos. 


The New South Welshman won’t be the first Aussie to race for the team either, with Tasmanian Alex Peroni having competed with them for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

In addition to Peroni, there have been a number of Australians to compete in the championship including incoming Formula 1 driver and 2020 champion Oscar Piastri and Alpine F1 reserve driver Jack Doohan. 

“To be joining Campos for FIA F3 in 2023 is such an incredible honour and achievement,” Mansell said. 

“With a strong showing in the latter part of the season, it gives me confidence I can do well in my opening year in FIA F3. Thank you to everyone who made this possible.”

Mansell’s rise up the junior formula ranks over the past few years has been quite impressive and has featured a number of strong results across a number of competitive championships. 

Making the journey overseas in 2020, Mansell claimed a win and five podiums in the British Formula 4 Championship to win the Rookie Cup before progressing to GB3 Championship last year.

Two wins and a further three podiums in GB3 saw the teenager finish third on the outright championship – a position he also finished in for this EuroFormula Open Championship after picking up three wins and 12 more podiums. 

 

The FIA Formula 3 Championship season will include 10 rounds in 2023, including a maiden appearance at next year’s Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix.

The FIA Formula 3 Championship begins at the Bahrain International Circuit on 4-5 March.