Trident sign Zendeli for 2020

Trident have snapped up German prospect Lirim Zendeli for the 2020 campaign, with the 20-year-old becoming their first driver of the new season.

Zendeli will be entering his second season in F3, following a positive debut campaign with Sauber Junior Team by Charouz in 2019, where he finished 18th overall with two points’ finishes. The German achieved a highest place of seventh in the Spielberg Sprint Race at the Red Bull Ring.

The 20-year-old enjoyed his first taste of Trident machinery at post-season testing in Valencia, following the conclusion of the 2019 season. The German ran 18th in the timings on the final day and impressed the team with his attitude around the garage.

Zendeli is an ADAC F4 Champion, taking the crown in 2018 with a record of 10 wins, 13 podiums and eight pole positions. The German will be aiming to fight at the front in 2020, with a years’ experience of the Championship behind him.

On the move, Zendeli said: “I am super delighted to announce that I will go racing in FIA Formula 3 with Trident in 2020. After testing with the team in Valencia it was totally clear to me that I really would like take my career onto another level with this traditional and experienced team.

“I am convinced that we can achieve many very good results and I’ll give everything to bring some trophies to the teams headquarter in Milano! Grazie ragazzi per la fiducia!”

Trident enjoyed a successful first season of their own in F3, overseeing Pedro Piquet’s victory in the Feature Race at Spa-Francorchamps. The Brazilian went on to score fifth in the Drivers' Championship with Trident and earned himself a move up to F2.

The Italian outfit also scored three further podiums, including two for Niko Kari, as they sealed fourth in the Championship overall.

Trident team owner Maurizio Salvadori added: “Last year we watched Zendeli with great attention in the Formula 3 championship and even though he didn’t get particularly important results, his skills favourably impressed us.

“I am delighted of having him in the 2020 Team Trident line-up. I am sure he will be among the leading drivers, and that he will become one of the stars of the season. He has already driven a Team Trident car in last October’s postseason test at Valencia. Even if he was with us for only one day, we appreciated his driving talent, his sensible attitude and his absolute professionalism.”