Monaco, the lights are returning to the Principality
The long wait is over. Next weekend, the FIA Formula 3 Championship returns to action. After a break of more than two months, the series will rev up its engines on the Monaco street circuit. The second round of the calendar, and the first on European soil, will take place on the fascinating and treacherous streets of the Principality of Monaco.
Trident Motorsport arrives at its first back-to-back race of the season aiming to continue its strong start to the season shown on the semi-permanent Melbourne track, where it immediately secured second place with Freddie Slater.
After taking second place in the Feature Race in Melbourne, Freddie Slater arrives in Monaco in second place in the FIA Formula 2 Championship driver standings, seven points off the top spot. A reigning Formula Regional Europe champion and Audi Junior Driver, the seventeen-year-old Englishman from Stratford-upon-Avon immediately demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the more powerful F3 single-seaters.
In his second season in the FIA Formula 2 Championship, Noah Strømsted narrowly missed the podium in the Sprint Race in Melbourne, while Matteo De Palo was forced to start the two Australian races from the back of the grid. After seeing his best time erased, the Roman endured two difficult races, coming back from the top. The McLaren Junior driver thus displayed all his grit and determination. These qualities will undoubtedly be useful to the Trident Motorsport drivers as they prepare for Monaco, which, with its iconic corners and close-to-the-walls, will be the toughest and most glamorous event of the championship.
Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager at Trident Motorsport: “The Monaco street circuit has unique characteristics. It's a track where the slightest mistake can be costly. The difficulty in overtaking during the race makes qualifying crucial. Our goal is to have a competitive weekend with our three drivers and confirm our position at the top of the category. It will require maximum concentration and attention to every detail. The collective tests in Spielberg allowed us to return to the track and gain useful feedback.”
The FIA Formula 3 Championship engines will rev up on Thursday at 1:25 PM, with the 45-minute free practice session. Qualifying, divided into two groups, starts at 11:05 AM on Friday. The Sprint Race will take place on Saturday at 10:45 AM. The Feature Race, which will conclude the weekend, will start on Sunday at 7:45 AM. All on-track action will be broadcast in full on Sky F1.