Everything new: DAMS Lucas Oil Pre-Season Round-Up

24 February 2025

It was three days of learning for the newest team in the paddock, as not only where DAMS Lucas Oil adapting to the new Championship, they also had a new car to understand.

With 481 laps completed across the Barcelona pre-season test, the French outfit would have gathered a lot of data, especially with the help of their most experienced driver Matías Zagazeta.

The Peruvian completed 154 of those laps – the lowest on the entire grid – but that was largely because of an off in the morning on Day 3.

This occurred in wet weather conditions, and while some may see it as a negative, he feels the laps he did get in rainy conditions will be really useful for when the season gets going.

“It was a very interesting test of course,” said Zagazeta just before leaving the track. “Three days in the new car and it was a pretty fun experience in the new car.

“It was a long three days, good to get dry and wet running as well, pretty happy with the whole team, so we have to keep working now for Melbourne.”

Zagazeta is the most experienced member of the DAMS 2025 driver lineup

While Zagazeta used the three days to continue his bedding in process within the team, DAMS will have found it useful to have a driver who has experience in the Championship.

The 21-year-old’s feedback will play a key role in helping the team build from scratch. As well as collecting useful data for the upcoming rounds. His three days in Barcelona would have been key to giving them a foundation from where they can start.

His presence would have also been useful for his new rookie teammates, Christian Ho and Nicola Lacorte.

Ho’s 171 laps were the most for the team, giving him a real chance to get up to speed in the new Formula 3 car, which he very much enjoyed.

The Singaporean driver was honest in his assessment of the test after he too went off on the final day, getting stuck in the gravel trap at the exit of Turn 5.

However, he was not alone in his struggles, with slippery conditions making for a tricky day for all 30 drivers. But he also acknowledged how big a step up this is for him.

Ho completed 171 laps for DAMS across the pre-season test

“The test was not the best,” he said. “We will see in Melbourne. Hopefully, it's better there, but we will work as a team.

“Obviously, I jumped up from Eurocup last year, so it's a big step up in terms of speed and downforce as well. Compared to the last car, it's a bit pointier, it was really good to drive and really fun to drive as well.”

Everything is new for Ho, so this pre-season test would not have been about chasing lap times but instead giving him a solid base to build his campaign.

Nikola Tsolov: ‘We’re making good progress with 2025 car’

This is a sentiment shared by Lacorte. The Italian, like Ho, had his struggles in the afternoon on the final day when he also got caught out at Turn 5 and ended in the gravel. But he was very impressive in the morning, setting the 10th fastest time.

But again, that was not the biggest takeaway for him, with his eyes set firmly on building towards Melbourne.

“It was very interesting to work with DAMS,” he said. “Everything is very new for me, the car, working with a team like this, being in this Championship. So, lots of emotion going on, also lots of work.

Lacorte was 10th fastest in the final morning session of the test

“I think we are getting ready for Australia. We've done some interesting stuff, so I am very confident with the team and my driving.

“The car, technically there are some little differences. As you can see, they look amazing. It's very fast, I didn't expect it to be this fast, but it's good, I like it.”

Both Ho and Lacorte spoke of the importance of being ready for Melbourne and making sure they adapt as quickly as possible before Round 1.

What would be making this easier is the enjoyment they have found working with DAMS, with the pair singing the praises of their new team.

“For me I have never worked the way I have worked with this team,” said Lacorte. “I've never been this satisfied, and I like the way we are into the work we are doing.”

Ho added: “They are really professional. It’s really nice to work with them, because they are a new team as well obviously, so we have to start quite new. It won’t be easy, but I am sure we will make it in the end.”

All three drivers will be hard at work preparing for the first round in Melbourne

The rookie pair also caught the eye of their experienced teammate, Zagazeta, who says the trio are pushing each other to be better each day.

“It's great,” said Zagazeta on working with Ho and Lacorte. “I have some great teammates. We try to push each other quite a lot. I’ve got a good feeling with the team so we need to keep working now until Melbourne.”

It may not have been the most perfect pre-season test, but it was certainly an incredibly useful one, giving DAMS and their drivers a hugely positive feeling heading into Melbourne.