DAMS have confirmed their second driver for the 2025 Formula 3 season in what will be their debut year in the category.
The French outfit will be coming into Formula 3 to replace Jenzer Motorsport who have closed their operations in the championship after the 2024 campaign. DAMS have not competed at this level since the championship was known as GP3 back in 2017.
The team have signed Jenzer driver Matias Zagazeta for the 2025 season. The Peruvian driver endured a difficult debut season in F3 last year as he only managed eight points and finished 25th in the standings.
And alongside Zagazeta, DAMS have brought in Trident driver Nicola Lacorte for next year, who will make the step up from FRECA.
Nicola Lacorte says FRECA’s 30-car grid will be ‘important’ for his step into Formula 3
Lacorte began his career in his native Italy in the Italian F4 Championship. In a series won by Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 17-year-old only competed in eight races and scored just one point.
Lacorte had a full-time assault at the championship in 2023 and grabbed one win and two podiums to finish ninth in the standings. The Italian also competed in the F4 UAE Championship and Euro 4 Championship, finishing 24th and ninth respectively.
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In 2024, Lacorte secured his second and to date, latest win of his junior career in the Formula Regional Oceania Championship, where he finished the year in 10th.
The 17-year-old’s campaign in FRECA this season only brought about three points across the year as he finished 21st in the standings. Despite a lack of results, Lacorte will be given the chance to make the step up to F3.
Speaking with the F3 website, the Italian outlined how racing in a 30-car grid in FRECA will be ‘important’ for him in his next step in his career.
“I’m delighted to sign for DAMS Lucas Oil 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 FRECA 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.”
Is Nicola Lacorte ready to make the step to Formula 3?
With just two wins in his junior career thus far, there will be some questions as to whether Lacorte is ready to make the step up to F3 next year and if he can be competitive.
DAMS have a great history in junior categories and will prove to be a strong team that can provide the tools that the Italian needs to perform. But his career so far does not point too favourably to that happening.
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As well as only winning two races so far, Lacorte has grabbed just four podiums and there will be a lot of pressure on him to find that performance and deliver results for DAMS.
There will also be pressure on Zagazeta to deliver in his sophomore season in F3 and improve upon his eight points in 2024. DAMS are yet to confirm their third driver for next year.