The FIA F3 2025 season has officially come to a close, with 20-year-old Gerrard (Xie Yonglin) finishing strong after ten grueling rounds. Despite being a newcomer, this young driver showed impressive growth throughout the season, breaking into the top ten for the first time at the Hungarian round and earning his first F3 points. In the final race at Monza, he made a stunning 14-position leap during the sprint, perfectly capping off an exhilarating season.
Gerrard is competing for the Hitech team this season, driving car number 16 throughout the year. The season kicks off in March in Melbourne, presenting a tough challenge for a newcomer transitioning from the Asian racing scene to the European stage. With a background that includes 13 victories in the China F4 series and wins in GB3 events, his talent is undeniable. The real question is whether he can quickly find his footing in the high-stakes environment of F3, where competition is fierce.
The results in the early races haven’t stood out, but there’s been progress in each one. In the first race in Melbourne, he started from the back and impressively surged forward, moving up nine spots to finish 16th, and then climbed another seven positions in the main race to finish 18th. At the Bahrain race, he even rose ten spots during the sprint race, though ultimately finishing 21st. This indicates that he has developed a solid grasp of overtaking and rhythm control.
Heading to Monaco, this street circuit is a nightmare for many drivers, but for Gerrard, it became an opportunity. Growing up watching F1, he always fantasized about this track, and now with a chance to compete, he seized it. With a bold and assertive driving style, he climbed nine positions and successfully finished the race. While he didn’t score any points, his performance was already enough to steal the spotlight.
As the mid-season kicked off, he gradually got a handle on the rhythm of the races. In Austria, he climbed 7 and 12 positions in two different races; during the sprint race at Spa, he made a 6-position leap. By August at the Hungarian Grand Prix, he finally achieved a breakthrough. Gerrard secured 4th place in qualifying, marking his best result of the season. He then maintained his position during the sprint race, finishing 10th and successfully earning his first F3 points, making it his first entry into the top ten all season.
As the climactic final showdown, Mengsha Station didn’t hold back. Despite an unfortunate DNF (Did Not Finish) in the main race, he once again showcased his explosive power in the sprint race: starting from the back, he surged up 14 positions to finish 15th. Achieving such a leap on a high-speed circuit is a testament to his judgment and control over the track, both of which are commendable.
Although he couldn’t consistently enter the scoring zone in the first season, Gerrard has shown clear improvement at every race. For a rookie debuting in the FIA F3, he’s already delivered a commendable performance. Competing against numerous young drivers from top European racing academies, each race was a battle of real-world experience. The fact that he managed to secure his position and successfully break through in the latter half highlights his potential.
Gerrard has yet to announce his participation plans for 2026, but it’s rumored that he hopes to continue his journey in F3 and even take on FIA F2. The latest updates will be revealed on his official website www.gerrardxie.com.
