Motorsport fans are buzzing as Thailand’s dream of hosting a Formula 1 race edges closer to reality. But even before the lights go out on that future, there’s already something to celebrate as Tasanapol ‘Tern’ Inthraphuvasak became the first Thai driver to win a race in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
At the legendary Silverstone Circuit in England, the 19-year-old racer grabbed reverse grid pole position for the Sprint Race on July 5 and led it from start to finish, crossing the line ahead of 29 other drivers to take a victory.
Before his recent triumph, Inthraphuvasak steadily rose through the ranks, starting in karting on his home soil in 2013 and racing across Asia, the U.S. and Europe. He claimed runner-up titles in major karting series by 2017 and debuted in single-seaters in 2021. After winning races in British and Spanish F4 and competing in the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship, he stepped up to FIA Formula 3 in 2024 with AIX, continuing his rapid rise.
While FIA Formula 3 isn’t quite at the level of Formula 1, it’s an important third-tier international single-seater championship organised by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). It plays a crucial role in the ‘Road to F1,’ giving young, aspiring drivers a platform to develop their skills and showcase their talent as they aim to move up to Formula 2 and eventually the sport's highest tier.
This historic achievement shows that the nation has another rising star alongside Alex Albon, who’s already waving the national flag with Williams Racing. In the years ahead, we could see even more Thai drivers joining the grid.