Matías Zagazeta

Matías Zagazeta
Zagazeta driving the Dallara F3 2019 during the 2024 Spielberg Formula 3 round.
NationalityPeru Peruvian
Born (2003-09-08) 8 September 2003 (age 21)
Lima, Peru
FIA Formula 3 Championship career
Debut season2024
Current teamDAMS Lucas Oil
Car numberTBC
Former teamsJenzer Motorsport
Starts18 (18 entries)
Wins0
Podiums1
Poles0
Fastest laps0
Best finish25th in 2024
Previous series
2023
2022–2023
2021
2020–2021		FR Middle East Championship
FR European Championship
Formula 4 UAE
F4 British Championship

Matías Zagazeta (born 8 September 2003) is a Peruvian racing driver who is set to compete in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship for DAMS Lucas Oil, having previously competed last raced with Jenzer Motorsport the previous year. He is the 2021 F4 British Championship runner-up.[1][2]

Career

Karting

A three-time national karting champion having begun his career at the age of eight, Zagazeta quickly switched to international competition, primarily in America.[3] He crossed the pond in 2017, competing in various IAME and WSK events, as well as the CIK-FIA Karting European Championship. He finished 14th in the X30 Senior class of the IAME Winter Cup in 2019, his last year of Karting.[4][5]

Formula 4

2020

After testing Formula 4 machinery for the first time in late 2019, Zagazeta signed with British F4 giants Carlin for his single-seater debut the following year.[6][7] Having left behind all his family in Lima and racing in tracks he did not know, the Peruvian endured a difficult season, eventually only scoring 34 points. He finished a lowly 12th in the championship, as the second last full-time driver, far from his teammates Zak O'Sullivan and Christian Mansell, second and seventh respectively.[8]

2021

Zagazeta started 2021 by racing part-time in the Formula 4 UAE Championship with Xcel Motorsport. He got a best finish of 4th from eight races, and finished 14th in the standings.[9] Switching to Phinsys by Argenti for his second British F4 campaign,[10] Zagazeta's results improved drastically, as he got a maiden single-seater podium in the season opener at Thruxton. He would win four races throughout the year, including double victory at Knockhill,[11] and sat at the top of the standings with just two rounds to go.[12][13] He would eventually lose out on the title to JHR's Matthew Rees by 25 points.[14][15]

Formula Regional

2022

Zagazeta racing in the 2022 Formula Regional European Championship at the Red Bull Ring.

In 2022 Zagazeta joined G4 Racing to progress into the Formula Regional European Championship.[16][17] He immediately impressed in pre-season testing, leading the final session of the Barcelona collective test.[18]

2023

Zagazeta partook in the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship with R-ace GP during the first three rounds.[19]

Zagazeta racing in the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship at the Red Bull Ring.

For his main campaign, Zagazeta remained in the Formula Regional European Championship, but moved to R-ace GP.[20]

FIA Formula 3 Championship

Zagazeta racing Noel León in the 2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Zagazeta took part in the FIA Formula 3 post-season test in 2022, driving for Charouz Racing System during the final two days.[21][22]

The following year, he partook in post-season testing at Jerez with Jenzer Motorsport.[23][24]

2024

In 2024, Jenzer Motorsport signed Zagazeta to participate with them in the full 2024 FIA Formula 3 season.[25] He missed the Monaco round due to appendicitis and was replaced by James Hedley.[26]

2025

Zagazeta remained in Formula 3 for 2025, but switched to new entrants DAMS Lucas Oil as Jenzer Motorsport departed the championship.[27]

Racing record

Karting career summary

Season Series Team Position
2014 Argentine championship - Promocional 30th
2015 SKUSA SuperNationals XIX - TaG Cadet BBR Karting 56th
2017 IAME International Open - X30 Junior 14th
SKUSA SuperNationals XXI - X30 Junior BBR Karting 12th
IAME Euro Series - X30 Junior 13th
IAME International Final - X30 Junior 18th
CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy 21st
2018 WSK Champions Cup - OK Lennox Racing Team 24th
23° South Garda Winter Cup - OK 33rd
WSK Super Master Series - OK 58th
CIK-FIA European Championship - OK 45th
2019 IAME Euro Series - X30 Senior Fusion Motorsport
IAME Winter Cup - X30 Senior 14th
British Kart Championship - X30 Senior 39th
CIK-FIA European Championship - OK Forza Racing

Racing career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2020 F4 British Championship Carlin 26 0 0 0 0 34 12th
2021 Formula 4 UAE Championship Xcel Motorsport 8 0 0 0 0 32 14th
F4 British Championship Phinsys by Argenti 30 4 4 3 11 306 2nd
2022 Formula Regional European Championship G4 Racing 19 0 0 0 0 0 32nd
2023 Formula Regional Middle East Championship R-ace GP 9 0 0 0 1 28 17th
Formula Regional European Championship 20 0 0 0 0 12 22nd
Macau Grand Prix Jenzer Motorsport 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 17th
2024 FIA Formula 3 Championship Jenzer Motorsport 18 0 0 0 1 8 25th
2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship DAMS Lucas Oil 0 0 0 0 0 0 TBD

* Season still in progress.

Complete F4 British Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 DC Points
2020 Carlin DON
1
13 		DON
2
9 		DON
3
5 		BHGP
1
10 		BHGP
2
8 		BHGP
3
11 		OUL
1
12 		OUL
2
13 		OUL
3
11 		KNO
1
13 		KNO
2
9 		KNO
3
13 		THR
1
Ret 		THR
2
9 		THR
3
11 		SIL
1
6 		SIL
2
11 		SIL
3
10 		CRO
1
12 		CRO
2
9 		SNE
1
12 		SNE
2
11 		SNE
3
11 		BHI
1
9 		BHI
2
Ret 		BHI
3
11 		12th 34
2021 Phinsys by Argenti THR1
1
3 		THR1
2
9 		THR1
3
Ret 		SNE
1
9 		SNE
2
13 		SNE
3
6 		BHI
1
125 		BHI
2
4 		BHI
3
1 		OUL
1
Ret 		OUL
2
Ret 		OUL
3
2 		KNO
1
1 		KNO
2
97 		KNO
3
1 		THR2
1
2 		THR2
2
123 		THR2
3
2 		CRO
1
4 		CRO
2
75 		CRO
3
2 		SIL
1
1 		SIL
2
116 		SIL
3
Ret 		DON
1
6 		DON
2
63 		DON
3
2 		BHGP
1
Ret 		BHGP
2
93 		BHGP
3
2 		2nd 306

Complete Formula Regional European Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2022 G4 Racing MNZ
1
20 		MNZ
2
28 		IMO
1
26 		IMO
2
28 		MCO
1
DNQ 		MCO
2
21 		LEC
1
19 		LEC
2
22 		ZAN
1
20 		ZAN
2
20 		HUN
1
25 		HUN
2
21 		SPA
1
24 		SPA
2
25 		RBR
1
31 		RBR
2
26 		CAT
1
24 		CAT
2
18 		MUG
1
30 		MUG
2
29 		32nd 0
2023 R-ace GP IMO
1
13 		IMO
2
5 		CAT
1
14 		CAT
2
23 		HUN
1
27 		HUN
2
Ret 		SPA
1
20 		SPA
2
23 		MUG
1
20 		MUG
2
24† 		LEC
1
24 		LEC
2
19 		RBR
1
22 		RBR
2
21 		MNZ
1
21 		MNZ
2
27 		ZAN
1
15 		ZAN
2
10 		HOC
1
Ret 		HOC
2
23 		22nd 12

Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 DC Points
2023 R-ace GP DUB1
1
2 		DUB1
2
12 		DUB1
3
Ret 		KUW1
1
9 		KUW1
2
13 		KUW1
3
7 		KUW2
1
23 		KUW2
2
Ret 		KUW2
3
9 		DUB2
1 		DUB2
2 		DUB2
3 		ABU
1 		ABU
2 		ABU
3 		17th 28

* Season still in progress.

Complete Macau Grand Prix results

Year Team Car Qualifying Quali Race Main race
2023 Switzerland Jenzer Motorsport Dallara F3 2019 25th 24th 17th

Complete FIA Formula 3 Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2024 Jenzer Motorsport BHR
SPR
Ret 		BHR
FEA
18 		MEL
SPR
15 		MEL
FEA
17 		IMO
SPR
17 		IMO
FEA
17 		MON
SPR
 MON
FEA
 CAT
SPR
19 		CAT
FEA
19 		RBR
SPR
17 		RBR
FEA
14 		SIL
SPR
3 		SIL
FEA
22 		HUN
SPR
Ret 		HUN
FEA
27† 		SPA
SPR
17 		SPA
FEA
17 		MNZ
SPR
14 		MNZ
FEA
Ret 		25th 8
2025 DAMS Lucas Oil BHR
SPR
 BHR
FEA
 MEL
SPR
 MEL
FEA
 IMO
SPR
 IMO
FEA
 MON
SPR
 MON
FEA
 CAT
SPR
 CAT
FEA
 RBR
SPR
 RBR
FEA
 SIL
SPR
 SIL
FEA
 SPA
SPR
 SPA
FEA
 HUN
SPR
 HUN
FEA
 MNZ
SPR
 MNZ
FEA
 TBD TBD

References

  1. ^ "Matias Zagazeta, subcampeón de la F4 británica: "He dejado todo por mi país"". Andina (in Spanish). 26 October 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  2. ^ "Matías Zagazeta habla de su futuro en la Fórmula Regional Europea: "te pones el casco y eres otra persona"". PeruOffRoadRacing.com (in Spanish). 27 January 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  3. ^ Palma, Benjamín (8 July 2021). "Entrevista con Matias Zagazeta, piloto peruano en la Fórmula 4 Británica". Cosas.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  4. ^ Wood, Ida (1 November 2019). "Peruvian karter Matias Zagazeta joins Carlin for British F4". Formula Scout. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Matias Zagazeta | Racing career profile". DriverDB. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Reigning champions Carlin unveil Matias Zagazeta for 2020". British F4. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  7. ^ Benedetti, Eliezer (21 January 2020). "Piloto peruano Matías Zagazeta da el salto del karting a la Fórmula 4". El Comercio (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Matías Zagazeta, el joven piloto peruano que sueña con llegar a la Fórmula 1". SomosPeriodismo.com (in Spanish). 6 December 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  9. ^ "A NEW F4UAE SEASON: THE CLASS OF 2021". Formula 4 UAE. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Matias Zagazeta secures 2021 return with Argenti Motorsport". British F4. 13 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Por todo lo alto: Matías Zagazeta hizo historia en la F4 Británica tras ganar dos carreras el fin de semana". Depor.com (in Spanish). 16 August 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Peruano Matias Zagazeta es el nuevo líder de la Fórmula 4 británica". Andina (in Spanish). 19 September 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  13. ^ Blanco, José (22 September 2021). "Matias Zagazeta cerca del título de la Fórmula 4 británica: "Quiero dejar el nombre del Perú en lo más alto"". RPP (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  14. ^ "¡Orgullo peruano! Matías Zagazeta obtuvo el subcampeonato de la F4 Británica". Ovacion.pe (in Spanish). 24 October 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  15. ^ Blanco, José (26 October 2021). "Matías Zagazeta subcampeón de la Fórmula 4 Británica: "Estoy muy feliz de representar al Perú"". RPP (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  16. ^ "G4 Racing announces Matias Zagazeta for FRECA 2022 campaign". KartXpress. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  17. ^ "¡Sigue acelerando! Piloto peruano Matías Zagazeta competirá en la Fórmula Regional Europea by Alpine". Ovacion.pe (in Spanish). 2 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  18. ^ "Test a Montmelò - 4° turno: Zagazeta leader, Delli Guanti quarto". italiaracing.net (in Italian). 24 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  19. ^ Wood, Ida (2 January 2023). "R-ace GP reveals six drivers for four-car FRegional Middle East line-up". Formula Scout. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  20. ^ Wood, Ida (15 March 2023). "Bernier and Zagazeta announce plans for their second season in FREC". Formula Scout. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  21. ^ "Jerez post-season testing Day 2 entry list". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 21 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  22. ^ "Jerez post-season testing Day 3 entry list". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 22 September 2022. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  23. ^ "Formula 3 gears up for post-season testing from Jerez". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  24. ^ "Jenzer drivers promising in FIA F3 tests in Jerez". Jenzer Motorsport. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Jenzer Motorsport announce rookie Matias Zagazeta as first signing for the 2024 campaign". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  26. ^ Wood, Ida (22 May 2024). "James Hedley replaces Matias Zagazeta at Jenzer for Monaco F3 round". Formula Scout. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Matías Zagazeta becomes first confirmed DAMS Lucas Oil driver for 2025". FIA_Formula 3® - The Official F3® Website. 22 October 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.