Alex Powell proved that even the smallest opportunity can be a turning point. After two challenging seasons, the 19-year-old driver returned to Prema for the final two rounds of the FIA Formula 3 season at Monza and Madrid, stepping in for Louis Sharp who withdrew to focus on 2027. It was a chance he seized with both hands.
Powell's decision to accept the call wasn't made lightly. "We had no intention of being here. It was out of nowhere. I hadn't really done any testing in the F3 car, so it was a very last-minute decision," he told Formula Scout in the Monza paddock. "We were looking more towards next year but then we got a phone call saying the seat had opened up. We immediately said, 'Yes'. It's a great opportunity to learn and, obviously, it keeps my name in the FIA paddock."
Returning to the Prema family felt like a homecoming for Powell, even though many of the team's personnel have changed. "Yes, it has changed a lot, but at the same time it hasn't, and it does very much feel like being back to the beginning. I remember being here at Monza in 2024 watching the F3 guys and wishing that one day I would be there. So, to be here a couple of years later is super cool," he recalled.
Driving the F3 car itself has been an amazing experience. "Wow, it's super cool," he beamed. "For me, it's one of my favourite cars that I've driven. The thing that stood out to me immediately was the power to weight ratio. Just the feel straight away. My first time operating DRS as well. So that's something to learn. But for me, the car itself, particularly in race trim, is super nice."
Despite his lack of preparation, Powell felt he gelled with the car quickly. "Free practice was a good baseline. It was the first time I'd ever driven on soft tyres and ended up in the middle of the pack, so, in all honesty, I expected a pretty good step forward in qualifying," he explained. However, that promise failed to materialise in the lottery of F3 qualifying at Monza, with 30 cars split into two groups, each getting just 15 minutes. "It fell apart for sure," he admitted. "It's just one lap. I'd never experienced something like that before and I made a mistake, put myself in a bad position and was fighting for the first two sectors of the laps. It wasn't that the tyres weren't ready or I didn't drive well. I just didn't even get a lap; it was just a mess. This one stings quite a lot because all of a sudden the weekend becomes a lot more difficult, and it changes the dynamic of how people perceive the weekend. But from the inside, I think there was a lot to be happy about."
Starting 24th for both races, Powell had to fight hard in the congested midfield. Nevertheless, his performances at Madrid demonstrated his quality. At the Madring circuit, he was able to show the speed that had been hidden. "I think in Madrid we showed the true potential," he added. "Qualifying went better, and the races were competitive. It's a reminder that I can compete at this level."
For Powell, this experience was more than just filling an empty seat. It was a crucial step in rebuilding his career momentum. After two seasons of early promise that proved deceptive, he wants to prove he still belongs among the talented young drivers. With Prema, a team that has produced many champions, Powell hopes to continue developing and achieving better results in the future.
This F3 opportunity also serves as a platform for Powell to attract the attention of F2 or even F1 teams. At his young age and with his talent, he has great potential to go further. One thing is clear: his performances at Monza and Madrid have signalled that Alex Powell is not done shining yet.
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