Photo: Dutch Photo Agency
Alpine-supported Nicola Lacorte is moving up to FIA Formula 3 after just one year in Formula Regional, signing with championship newcomer DAMS.
Lacorte, the son of amateur sportscar driver and Cetilar Racing owner Roberto, finished 21st in his rookie season in the FRegional European Championship this year with Trident, scoring three points.
He made his single-seater debut after turning 15 mid-way through 2022 in Italian Formula 4, and moved from Iron Lynx to its sister squad Prema for a full campaign in 2023. He scored a win, a pole position and another podium finish at the first event of the season at Imola, but wouldn’t visit the podium again and ended up ninth in the standings.
Lacorte was then announced as a member of the Alpine Academy prior to his move up to FREC for 2024.
“I’m delighted to sign for DAMS for next season, considering their great history in Formula 2,” he said. “I’ve learnt a lot from my experiences of 30 car grids in FREC this year, which will be important with a similar size field in F3. My goal for the campaign is to maximise my performance and look to score points whenever possible.”
Lacorte made his F3 debut in the recent post-season tests with the Jenzer Motorsport team, which has effectively been replaced by DAMS for next season.
“It’s great to have Nicola on board for 2025 following the tests in Jerez and Barcelona earlier this month,” said team owner Charles Pic. “We’re looking forward to seeing him develop throughout the campaign. With the team’s proven methods in other series, we’re aiming to help one another to achieve great results.”
DAMS has already announced that former Jenzer driver Matias Zagazeta will stay on for next season. Christian Ho drove alongside Zagazeta and Lacorte for both tests.