Formula 2 and Formula 3 is forever changing, with teams coming and going. A young team doesn’t mean inexperience and it’s ones like AIX Racing that show how motorsport is developing. The 2026 season is just around the corner and this team aim to have another solid year in F2 and F3.
Who are they?
Officially formed in 2024, AIX Racing are a team based in the UAE. The formation was the result of a complete takeover from PHM Racing. Their current participation in Formula 2 and 3 has brought them much success, including podiums in the recent 2025 season. In the past, the team have had successful drivers such as Taylor Barnard, who now competes in Formula E.
In 2025 their most notable achievement was achieving two race wins in the opening and closing races of the F2 season. Joshua Dürksen secured these two wins for the team.
Brandished in black and green, AIX Racing prioritise the development of young talent on their way to Formula 1, starting right from F3.
Who will be representing AIX?
For Formula 2, the team have decided to part ways with Joshua Dürksen for 2026 after two great seasons together. Their collaboration together have allowed AIX to learn a lot in the success Dürksen provided.
Cian Shields
The British driver returns for his second F2 season, despite his rookie campaign ending without any points. However, he and the team feel that there is still more to be learnt and proved together. Shields started his single seater career in GB3, before moving to the Euroformula Open Championship and finishing runner-up.
In 2024, he took the step up to Formula 3 where he raced with Hitech Pulse-Eight. His season impressed AIX and he was offered a full-time seat the following season. Shields was just shy of scoring points last season with his best finish being P11. He and the team are determined to continue their development together and move into the points in 2026.
“I’m looking forward to it. It has been a difficult year for us, and we’ve made some changes behind the scenes, but I think we’ve learned with every weekend and we’re finally getting somewhere” – Cian Shields on resigning with AIX Racing for 2026
Emerson Fittipaldi Jr
Accompanying Shields this year is Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. The Brazilian rookie steps up to his F2 seat this year having spent a lot of time with the team over the 2025 season. Racing is in his blood, with his father being two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Because of this, the 18-year-old has been involved in racing from a young age.
His single seater career started in Danish F4 in 2021, moving to the Italian championship the following year. He then spent three years competing in the Eurocup-3 where he was scouted by AIX Racing, As well as other seasonal championships, Fittipaldi has a vast racing history already, which leave the team optimistic for his first season in F2.
“It’s been intense so far. I’ve been doing a lot of simulator work with the team already this year for most of the races, preparing with Joshua Duerksen and he’s been helping me a lot this year.” – Emerson Fittipaldi Jr reflecting on his early preparation for the 2026 season
Brad Benavides
In Formula 3, the team have decided to continue their partnership with American driver Brad Benavides, who finished 19th last season. His time in F3 goes back to 2022 where he completed a single season with Carlin before moving to Formula 2 with PHM Racing.
Together, they finished 22nd, and Brad left to compete in the Euroformula Open Championship. Being crowned champion allowed him to return to AIX Racing (formally PHM Racing) in 2025, where they had a solid year together. The end of the season saw a lot of improvements, keeping the duo together for 2026.
“We definitely ended the season on a high, as in the last five rounds we had three front row starts.” – Brad Benavides on resigning with AIX in 2026 and their progress over the 2025 season.
Yevan David
Accompanying Benavides will be Yevan David, who steps up this year to F3. After a busy 2024 season for Yevan, competing in UAE F4, Spanish F4, Eurocup-3 and FIA Motorsport Games Formula 4, he found himself on the radar for other racing series’. His 2025 year was even more successful, competing in GB3 and the Euroformula Open Championship, he achieved 14 podiums and 6 victories.
Shy of the championship, he claimed second place in the Euroformula Open, and later secured his spot in Formula 3, racing for AIX. Their early work together looks optimistic, and both David and AIX are confident that their 2026 season together will be successful.
“AIX have shown that they have been quick this year with Freddie Slater and Brad Benavides, they have gotten podiums and front rows, so they have the pace definitely.” – Yevan David expressing his confidence in the team for this upcoming season.
Fernando Barrichello
For the third spot at AIX, the team retain Fernando Barrichello. He starts 2026 as a rookie, but has actually competed in 2 races last season for the team. His two races at Monza last year left a great impression on the team and so he returns with a full-time seat.
Barrichello has participated in the Brazilian, UAE and Spanish F4 championships during his career, having a relative amount of success in each. He later moved to the EuroFormula Open Championship, as many other drivers did, finishing 3rd in 2024 and 7th in 2025. AIX took him away from that season to join then F3. His success in the lower categories proved key to his move up to F3.
“We have three very strong drivers, and in such a competitive series to have three good guys working together to evolve the car, so it’s happy days.” – Barrichello on his prospects for 2026.
AIX Racing have shown that as a team, they are capable of getting results and producing capable drivers. Their work in F2 and F3 shows their consistent efforts and their 2026 driver line-up will aim to do the same thing.
Read more from our Dive Into the Grid series here.