‘I couldn't ask for anything better’ – Ricci hails ‘amazing’ Melbourne weekend for TRIDENT

17 March 2025

TRIDENT Team Manager Giacomo Ricci was full of praise for his entire team after they hit the ground running in 2025 by achieving a one-two finish in the Melbourne Feature Race.

In the first race weekend with the brand-new Formula 3 car, the Italian outfit hit the ground running at Albert Park, with Rafael Camâra fastest in Free Practice.

The Brazilian rookie then led a one-two for the team in Qualifying with his teammate Noah Stromsted in second, and Charlie Wurz in P6.

After a difficult Sprint, where all three drivers retired due to collision damage, they hit back in the Feature Race, maintaining their Qualifying positions across the 23-lap event to give TRIDENT a special start to the season.

Speaking at the end of the weekend, a delighted Ricci was effusive in his praise of his team, from the engineers to their drivers, for how they well they have started 2025.

“Extremely happy,” said Ricci. “I have to thank the team massively, the engineers for the hard work that has been done this winter, they did an exceptional job. They put the car on the ground and the car was flying, it was very quick.

Camâra (L) led a TRIDENT one-two ahead of Stromsted (R) in the Feature Race

“Then I also have to thank all the three drivers, especially Camâra who I have been quite impressed with, because in Free Practice he didn't know the track, and from the second lap, the only colour that I saw was purple.

“So, he did something special, and the good thing is having three drivers competitive. They can push each other, they can learn from the other one, and they can look over the data together.

“But Camâra did a good job, Stromsted also, impressive I have to say for their first weekends and very pleased also with Charlie Wurz. He brought home some points home for TRIDENT, for the team and also for himself.

FEATURE RACE: Câmara in control for maiden F3 victory in Melbourne

“Amazing weekend I have to say. I couldn't ask for anything better to start the year. We are looking to the Bahrain test, and I am sure the competition will get closer and closer, so head down and we keep pushing.”

Camâra was in special form in Melbourne, leading MP Motorsport’s Tim Tramnitz in Practice by over two-tenths and Stromsted in Qualifying by 0.129s.

In the Feature, he managed two early Safety Car restarts well, and was also five seconds clear out in front, before the final Safety Car and the Red Flag that ended the race.

Ricci is excited to have three drivers who are going to push each other this season

Reflecting on the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy member’s performance, Ricci said: “I have to say we try to prepare the drivers in the best way possible. Then what he did today was really good. All the restarts were good, he went at the right moment at the right time. He was really calm on the radio, he pulled away. He had top speed, top pace.”

Such was TRIDENT’s strong pace in Melbourne that they were the only team to have all three of their cars in the top 12 for Qualifying and also score points in the Feature Race.

For Ricci, this was a team effort that went back to winter, as he also lauded their decision to set their fastest laps in Qualifying earlier than their rivals on a clearer track, putting them in a strong position for the weekend.

“Each team including us in the winter, they are trying to do the best possible job to develop the package,” he said. “The package places the car in the best window possible, and even if you do something that you think is the right, you don't know until the first race weekend.

“We were quite happy with the test in Barcelona, at the same time, it is completely different compared to here. It was also spring conditions, with the strange wind also, so it was difficult to have a clear view, also about the potential of the others.

“But here, Free Practice we were quick, immediately Camâra was top. Also, Noah was extremely happy about the car, and Charlie as well. I think also in Qualifying, one thing that made a big difference, was how we ran Qualifying.

Ricci is excited for TRIDENT to continue to develop the 2025 car at the in-season test in Bahrain

“It was completely different compared to the others, we ran a different strategy, and I think also on this side, of course I always include the engineers, we did a good job.

“Myself, I always try to play safe, that's why we decided to run in the gap in the middle, and this was the end result, we had a bigger gap.”

Up next for TRIDENT, and the rest of the grid, is the in-season test in Bahrain. Ricci says he and is excited to get more running done for both their rookie drivers and for the development of the car.

“I'm really happy that before the next race event will be the three days of testing, because I am sure also the drivers can improve,” he added.

“We have two rookies and they don't know Bahrain, so it's necessary to have these three days of testing in Bahrain. Also, the engineers are very happy and motivated for the three days because they can carry on the job with the development.

“We love Bahrain also, I mean it's a good track for us. So, we are looking forward to going there. It's extremely useful.”