After a strong start to his 2020 Campaign in Asia, Devlin DeFrancesco will once more be teaming up with Trident Motorsport to contest the 2020 FIA Formula 3 Championship.

First partnering with the Italian team for the inaugural FIA F3 championship in 2019, Devlin fearlessly fought wheel-to-wheel against the fiercely competitive field. Demonstrating his talent from the get-go, the youngster was quick to get to grips with the new machinery, making up 13 places in the opening stages of the second round. Continuing to refine his race craft as the season progressed, he consistently advanced through the pack, coming agonisingly close to points on multiple occasions.

Entering its second year, the FIA Formula 3 Championship is the second to last step on the FIA Ladder before Formula One. An amalgamation of both GP3 and the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and part of the Formula 1 support package, it gives drivers a taste of what is to come, as they compete over 9 rounds in equal machinery. Seen as a true proving ground for future stars, the current Formula 1 grid includes 12 GP3 and FIA F3 alumni, including race winners Valterri Bottas and Charles Leclerc.

Fully embedding himself within the team, Trident became a place Devlin felt truly at home within, and after a strong showing in the post season tests, this is a partnership that he was eager to continue: “There was big improvement throughout the year speed wise, and I’d say during the second half of the year the speed was very good – Spa, qualifying in the top six there and Monza, after qualifying always being in the top three there until the red flag incident,” he said. ‘‘Obviously the post season test went quite well, we were generally always in the top five so also quite happy with that there. I’m happy to be sticking with such an incredible team – Maurizio Salvadori, my engineer, Andrea Tesi Mancini, who’s become very close to me, and also Giacamo Ricci and Rocco, my number one mechanic who’s also unbelievable. I’m looking forward to a good year, we found some good stuff during the Valencia tests so I’m sure we can translate that into good results in 2020.”

Team Owner Maurizio Salvadori added: “I am very satisfied to have extended our relationship with Devlin Defrancesco in F3 for the 2020 season. Last year, Devlin showed great improvement and I am very optimistic about the coming season. I am convinced that the experience gained in 2019 will allow him to harvest the good results that are certainly within his reach.”

Between the end of the 2019 F3 season and the start of 2020, Devlin has been keeping sharp in the F3 Asian Championship certified by FIA, and has been putting together a run of impressive performances, as one of the only drivers to have finished in the points at every race.