Interview
Lacorte confident that he and DAMS can achieve ‘something special’ in 2026
Nicola Lacorte is feeling very confident about his chances of success in 2026, as detailed the work he put in over the winter to be ready for the upcoming FIA Formula 3 season.
The DAMS Lucas Oil driver returns for a second campaign in the Championship with the French team, after a rookie year in which he had a best result of P15.
But Lacorte is feeling very positive about 2026, saying that he has made a lot of progress over the winter months to be ready for the season.
“I'm feeling very confident, to be honest,” said Lacorte. “I had a tough season in 2025, it was my first year with the team, but of course there has been a big progression over the winter.
“We've tested many things, and we've improved many others, so it can only get better, and I think it will. I hope it can be a good season for both me and the team.
“Personally, I've worked a lot on my driving. I feel different from last year. I'm very confident that the team has done a great job too. We've worked a lot back in the simulator, and we've tested many things in the winter.
“The confidence is there. We know we can achieve something special this year. I really think we will.”
When asked what he had looked to improve over the winter to be ready for the season, Lacorte replied: “From last year to this year, one thing I discovered, and I already knew it, but I felt it's the approach in quali.
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“It's very different from any other category, especially F4 or FREC to F3, you get to do very few laps. I think it's something very important because it's probably 70% of your weekend. You have to be on it in quali with very little track time.”
With the confidence levels high and the work done, Lacorte – who ended the afternoon of Day 3 at pre-season testing in Barcelona with the fastest time of a 1:29.676 – says he has also changed how he is approaching the year.
“It's also one thing I've developed, and that's not to think too much of the final goal,” said Lacorte. “It can confuse you a little.
“I want to work on the little things, one by one. Work on this lap, then work on the other. Then work on quali after practice, then think about the race, then the next weekend. It's just building everything step by step.
“I think good results are going to come if you work this way. One thing about myself that I've changed is my way of thinking and setting goals. I believe that setting little goals will help me achieve bigger things.
“But I don't want to go too deep in those bigger goals. I think they're just going to come by themselves.”