Photo: ACI Sport
Matteo De Palo will join his Formula Regional European Championship rival Freddie Slater in Trident’s FIA Formula 3 team next year.
De Palo has been racing for Trident in his second season in FREC this year and been vying with Prema racer Slater all season, with the pair now level on points at the top of the standings with two rounds to go.
Trident, which has run the last three FIA F3 champions, named Slater as its first driver for 2026 two weeks ago.
“This is a great source of satisfaction for us because, just like Leonardo Fornaroli before him, Matteo will continue his career path within Trident Motorsport,” said team manager Giacomo Ricci.
”It will be a significant step for him, as the cars are very different, but we will have the time to prepare him thoroughly.
“Matteo has already shown, in his second year in Formula Regional, that he is an extremely competitive and consistent driver – qualities that are essential for success in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.”
De Palo is in the third year of his single-seater career, having come fifth as a rookie in Spanish Formula 4 with Campos Racing in 2023 before stepping up to FREC, finishing 17th in the standings in his debut campaign with Sainteloc Racing.
“I am very happy to continue my collaboration with Trident Motorsport as I make my debut in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship,” he said. “It will be a huge challenge, and I will give my utmost to make it an unforgettable season.”