Trident has announced that 17 year-old Italian driver Matteo De Palo will make his FIA F3 debut with the team in 2026. Racing with the Italian outfit in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) this season, De Palo sits level at the top of the Drivers’ Standings alongside Freddie Slater, who he will line up alongside at Trident next year.
The Italian has claimed four victories and four further podiums in FRECA this season, underlining both his speed and consistency. Alongside Slater, the pair have demonstrated why they are ready to make the next step up the single-seater ladder to F3 next year.
A rising talent to watch
The 17 year-old began his single-seater career in 2023, making his debut in the Formula Winter Series for one round with Campos Racing. He continued his year with the Spanish outfit for a full season in Spanish F4, finishing fifth overall with one victory, pole position and three further podiums. Later that year, De Palo also gained additional experience with appearances in both Italian and British F4.
In his second year of single-seaters, De Palo debuted in both the Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC) and FRECA with Saintéloc Racing. While he’d managed several points-scoring finishes, 2024 marked the year of no podiums for the Italian. He contested in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix with PHM Racing, though his weekend ended in disappointment after being disqualified from the main race. Despite a challenging 2024 campaign, De Palo has turned things around in 2025 with a stronger year of performances.
De Palo returned to FRMEC in 2025, but again struggled, scoring just four points to finish nineteenth overall. However, for his second campaign in FRECA this year, the Italian made a move to Trident and has established himself as a strong title contender, proving highly competitive against Slater.
De Palo’s partnership with Trident continues
Unlike Slater, who will join the team for the first time next year, 2026 sees De Palo return to a familiar environment for his rookie F3 campaign, having raced with the Italian outfit in FRECA this season. In today’s announcement, the 17 year-old expressed his excitement to continue his single-seater journey with Trident in 2026.
De Palo said: “I am very happy to continue my collaboration with TRIDENT Motorsport as I make my debut in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. It will be a huge challenge, and I will give my utmost to make it an unforgettable season.”
Alongside De Palo, Trident’s Team Manager Giacomo Ricci shared a few words on the rising young talent. Ricci praised the Italian’s speed and consistency as they prepare to take the next step together in 2026.
“We are extremely proud to announce that Matteo De Palo, currently fighting for the title with TRIDENT in Formula Regional, will race under TRIDENT Motorsport colours in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. 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. 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.”
