McLaren announced the son of former Ferrari driver as its new junior driver

McLaren has introduced that it has exercised its choice on Brando Badoer, welcoming the 18-year-old to the McLaren Driver Improvement programme from October 2024.

The workforce had beforehand signed an choice on the Italian who at present competes in Components Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). After a 12-month interval of analysis, McLaren has opted to train this selection.

The son of former Ferrari driver, Luca Badoer made his single-seater debut within the 2022 Components 4 UAE Championship, whereas additionally racing within the Italian Components 4 collection in the identical yr. In 2023, he continued in each championships, scoring 5 podiums within the Italian collection, together with two second-place finishes at Imola and Monza.

Through the 2024 pre-season, Badoer achieved three podiums within the Components Regional Center East Championship, earlier than transferring as much as FRECA with Van Amersfoort Racing. So far, the 18-year-old has achieved seven podiums with 5 second-place finishes and two third locations.

As a part of his continued development by means of the McLaren Driver Improvement programme, Badoer will compete for Prema Racing within the 2025 FIA Components 3 Championship alongside fellow McLaren Driver Improvement programme member Ugo Ugochukwu.

Led by F1 Enterprise Operations Director, Stephanie Carlin, the McLaren Driver Improvement programme will see Brando be a part of the workforce’s expertise pipeline which has an overarching intention to assist drivers develop in direction of Components 1, IndyCar and Components E.

McLaren’s Director of F1 Enterprise Operations Stephanie Carlin commented: “It’s nice to welcome Brando to our Driver Improvement programme.

“We’ve saved an in depth eye on him over the previous yr and have been impressed together with his performances as a rookie within the aggressive Components Regional championship, so it made sense to train our choice and convey him into the programme full time. We stay up for seeing him racing in papaya and supporting his growth as he strikes to compete within the FIA Components 3 Championship with Prema Racing.”

Commenting on his new alternative, Badoer famous: “I’m excited to hitch the McLaren Driver Improvement programme. It’s a improbable alternative to hitch a workforce with such an excellent racing heritage and a confirmed file for growing expertise.

“Competing within the 2025 FIA Components 3 Championship with Prema Racing will assist proceed my development and I’d prefer to thank the entire workforce at McLaren for his or her assist. I can’t wait to be taught from the workforce’s steering and get racing within the workforce’s iconic colors.”

F1earlier