Italian racing driver Matteo De Palo is set to begin his first full campaign in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Trident Motorsport. A member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, De Palo steps up to F3 in 2026 after finishing runner-up in the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA), also with Trident. The Italian outfit has enjoyed significant success in FIA F3 in recent seasons. Expectations for the young Italian are therefore high. However, De Palo appears ready to embrace the challenge.
Speaking during a media session attended by Pit Debrief, De Palo discussed the benefits of having an experienced teammate, the confidence he gained from Trident and what he demonstrated to himself before the upcoming 2026 FIA F3 Championship.
Collaboration and preparation ahead of the season
A key factor in De Palo’s F3 2026 campaign with Trident will be his relationship with teammate Freddie Slater. With Trident aiming to return to the top step of the championship, collaboration between drivers could prove decisive.
Reflecting on the dynamic within the team, De Palo said, “No, I mean, having Freddie as a teammate, I think is a good thing for me and also for the team because he’s a quite good reference. We can work together and share data. So for sure, this will help us to be always at the top. And yeah, I think that’s a good thing.”
For a driver stepping into a new category, having a strong benchmark on the other side of the garage is invaluable.
Trident’s F3 pedigree fuels confidence for 2026
Trident’s reputation in F3 has grown significantly in recent seasons. The Italian outfit has supported multiple championship-winning campaigns, establishing itself as one of the benchmark teams on the grid. That history is not lost on De Palo.
“Yeah, I agree on what Noah said. For sure, staying with Trident gives us, I think all three drivers, a lot of confidence. Because, yeah, we know we have a good package. The team is always on point. And every time we go out, we have always a really competitive car. So yeah, it makes me very confident every time I go out on track. And yeah, it’s all about me to make the job. So yeah, now in Melbourne, I think we will have a good chance to demonstrate all the work we did so far. And yeah, I’m really looking forward.”
His comments underline a clear understanding of where responsibility lies. While the team provides the machinery and structure, execution ultimately rests with the driver. As the championship prepares to kick off in Melbourne, De Palo believes the groundwork laid over the winter will soon translate into on-track performance.
A major step up as De Palo prepares for his rookie F3 season
When asked what he proved to himself in 2025 ahead of the step up to F3, De Palo acknowledged the scale of the challenge.
“Oh, yeah. Like Freddie said, it’s going to be a big jump for me compared to what I’ve driven before with the F3 car. The championship will be much different. But, yeah, I’m really proud to be joining Trident and having their trust in me. And, yeah, I think we will do a good job.”
The transition into F3 is a defining step in any young driver’s career. The cars are more demanding, the race weekends more intense and the scrutiny greater. For De Palo, who is part of the McLaren Development Programme, gaining Trident’s trust is both a recognition of his past performances and a source of motivation for the season ahead.
