Extrapolation Sport

Record-breaking 2024 Italian F4 Champion, Freddie Slater is making a name for himself in the F3 for Trident. The 17-year old won and broke the FRECA record (Formula Regional European Championship), scoring 313 points in 2024. Current Formula 1 rookie, Kimi Antonelli, scored 283 points in the 2023 season.

The teenage sensation has been causing tidal waves in his categories and the rumour is that he will be joining the Audi junior program.

Slater will be competing in F3 next season and you would assume F2 by 2027 if his trajectory continues, the British driver already has a pre-contract with the the Invicta team.

The idea being that Hulkenburg will be 40-years old at that point and Bortoleto would have accumulated 3 years of experience in F1. Perfect timeline and setup for the star.

Freddie began competitive kart racing at the age of seven and has amassed an impressive collection of wins under his belt, (FRECA ‘25, F4 Italian, F4 UAE, Ginetta Junior, KZ2 European, OKJ European, OKJ World).

Raised in Warwickshire, his aim for F1 in the mid-term may be shaping up perfectly for him, with the access to top of the range simulators.

While Bortoleto alread has his guaranteed place within Audi for the foreseeable future, the German manufacturing giant could be planning to field Freddie Slater from 2028, if the young driver can keep up his form.

Matteo De Palo, his rival just points short of Slater, looks set to represent McLaren heading into next year.

TRIDENT has quite the promising line-up on its hands for 2026. Experience at the wheel through Noah Stromsted, who goes into his second FIA F3 campaign. Accompanied by young star Slater, sets a strong bid for the Championship. Freddie had a chance to speak about his early impressions on his new team.

“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.”

The 17-year old has had previous experience in F3, earning a podium on his debut with AIX Racing. The following week he finished second with Hitech TGR, and his career looks set to blossom from here.