Photo: Formula Motorsport Ltd
Niko Lacorte has kept his DAMS seat in the FIA Formula 3 Championship for a second season.
The 18-year-old Italian joined the French team this year for his rookie F3 campaign and he came a points-free 33rd in the standings. His highest starting position was 15th, which was also his personal-best race result and was achieved twice.
Lacorte missed round six of the 2025 season after receiving a race ban. He had accumulated too many penalty points on his race license within a 12-month period, with a safety car speeding violating tipping him over the line.
“It’s an honour to continue with DAMS. The 2025 season has taught me a great deal, about discipline, consistency and managing unpredictable race situations,” said Lacorte.
“My goal for 2026 is clear: build on this experience, improve at every race and target strong results.”
DAMS’ team principal Charles Pic added: “Nicola’s continuation reflects our ambition to invest long-term in young driver development. His analytical abilities and constant dedication throughout the 2025 season, even in difficult circumstances, demonstrated that he possesses the qualities required to progress within a highly professional environment.”
Lacorte was signed to the Alpine Academy two years ago after coming ninth in E4 and Italian Formula 4, where he took a race win and one other podium. His time as a Formula 1 junior started strongly, as in a part-time Formula Regional Oceania campaign last year he took a win, a second place and came 10th in the standings despite missing 40% of the season.
But in the FRegional European Championship campaign that followed, Lacorte only scored points twice and came 21st in the standings.
This year Lacorte made two sportscar outings in IMSA, driving in the GT3 class for the Cetilar Racing team founded by his father.