Slater targeting the title as he prepares for ‘awesome’ step up with TRIDENT

31 October 2025

Freddie Slater is aiming to become the 2026 Formula 3 Champion with TRIDENT, as his preparations began in his bit to be ready to hit the ground running at Round 1 in Melbourne.

The British driver joins the grid with an impressive record in single seater racing, having most recently won the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.

Slater now steps up to F3 with TRIDENT, and at the Jerez post-season test, he shared how his first few days with his new team had gone.

“It's pretty awesome to be joining such a team like TRIDENT,” said Slater. “They have had such success over the last three years, so it's a mega team, and they have welcomed me very nicely.

“It's a completely new team. As you know I've been with PREMA for the last two years so to change to a new environment, new people, having to learn new names and stuff like this, it's always difficult.

“But it's been good fun so far, and it's been nice to build that family relationship with the team, and hopefully a lot of success next year.”

Slater will be racing in TRIDENT colours for the first time in his career in 2026

Slater though does have experience of racing in F3, having driven in the Sakhir round this season with AIX Racing and at Spa-Francorchamps with Hitech TGR.

For the 17-year-old though, there is not a lot to adapt to between the different cars. His focus is instead in looking at all the small details that will help him get the advantage in a very competitive grid.

Hitech TGR Season Review: Ups and downs in 2025

“I think every car has it's slightly different traits, but as you know the F3 grid is so tight, so you are looking for minor details,” he explained. “Spa and Bahrain, it was super cool to get the opportunity to be able to jump in for a one-off event, and then I managed to get a second attempt.

“But I think it's about self-development. I don't look at other people, I try to focus on myself. Obviously, we have the data inside the team, so we are focusing on ourselves inside the three cars.

“It’s between us, we need to work next to our teammates, work together to improve the car and to improve ourselves, and then it's my job to find what I need to work on for myself for when I get to Melbourne.

The British driver is looking to get up to speed quickly ahead of Round 1 in Melbourne

“I need to be on it straight away because that's Round 1. I think it's a mixture, I think people have different approaches, but for me it's just to focus on ourselves and see where we end up.”

Joining Slater at TRIDENT for 2026 will be the returning Noah Stromsted and also Matteo de Palo, who he has raced against this season in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine.

Slater and de Palo – as well as Enzo Deligny who will be driving for PREMA Racing in 2026 – were in a battle for the Championship in FRECA going into the final round in Monza, with the Briton coming out on top.

For 2026 though, not only will he and De Palo be rivals, but they will also be teammates, and Slater talked about their first meeting at the TRIDENT factory prior to the Jerez test.

“It was quite funny yesterday, I met Matteo at the factory for the first time,” he revealed. “Obviously, we are battling with each in FRECA, but it doesn't change when we turn up for FIA F3, it's game on.

Slater is aiming for wins and the title in 2026 with TRIDENT

“We have to try and develop the team as much as we can, and not let anything get in the way, to affect the team. But it was quite funny walking in the other day and seeing Matteo because we are battling for the Championship.”

Not only will Slater want to battle for another Championship in 2026, but like he has done at the start of every year of his career, he is aiming to win the top prize.

“Obviously, I'm here to win the Championship,” said Slater. “I want to win races for the team and to win the Championship for the team, that's my goal, it's the same every year, it’s the focus for the year.

“So I just need to focus on myself, building up the knowledge at testing, and there are a few second year drivers, so I need to get the experience, there is a lot to learn. I definitely need to get on with it now, but we are going to try our hardest next year and see how we get on.”