Barcelona, Spain — Mexican motorsport celebrated a historic day on Saturday, May 31, 2025, as drivers Rafael Villagómez and Santiago Ramos claimed podium finishes in the FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 sprint races at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Their performances underscored Mexico’s growing prominence in international motorsport.
Villagómez’s Stunning Comeback in F2
The FIA Formula 2 sprint race saw Dutch driver Richard Verschoor (MP Motorsport) take victory after a strategic tire change under a safety car period. However, the standout performance came from Mexican racer Rafael Villagómez, who surged from 22nd on the grid to secure third place—his first podium in the category.
The race began with Luke Browning (HITEC) leading before being overtaken by Jack Crawford (DAMS) on Lap 4. The field stabilized until Lap 18, when an incident between teammates Gabriel Mini and Sebastián Montoya (Prema) triggered the safety car. Villagómez, Verschoor, and Alex Dunne capitalized on the opportunity to pit for fresh tires.
Upon the race’s restart on Lap 21, Villagómez’s softer tires gave him a decisive advantage. In a six-lap sprint to the finish, he executed a series of overtakes to clinch third.
“Tomorrow, we’ll focus on strategy; today, I had some luck,” Villagómez told FOX Sports Mexico after the race.
Ramos Continues Strong Form in F3
In Formula 3, Ivan Domingues (VAR) claimed victory, but Mexican driver Santiago Ramos delivered another standout performance, finishing second. The race began chaotically after a multi-car collision at Turn 1 eliminated several front-runners, including Tim Tramnitz and Rafael Cámara, prompting an early safety car.
Domingues, who started sixth, seized the lead after the restart, while Ramos avoided incidents and inherited second when Noah Stromstedt—who had been closing on the leader—crashed out.
The result marked Ramos’ third podium of the season, adding to his two previous wins. His consistency has positioned him as a championship contender.
Other Mexican Drivers in Action
Noel León (Prema) finished 10th in F3, scoring a valuable point in a challenging season. José Garfias and Jesse Carrasquedo, however, failed to crack the top 20.
The Spanish Grand Prix weekend highlighted the depth of Mexican talent in motorsport’s junior categories, reinforcing hopes for future representation in Formula 1. With championships still unfolding, Villagómez and Ramos have signaled that Mexico’s presence on international podiums is far from over.
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