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

McLaren has announced that it has exercised its option on Brando Badoer, welcoming the 18-year-old to the McLaren Driver Development programme from October 2024.

The team had previously signed an option on the Italian who currently competes in Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA). After a 12-month period of evaluation, McLaren has opted to exercise this option.

The son of former Ferrari driver, Luca Badoer made his single-seater debut in the 2022 Formula 4 UAE Championship, while also racing in the Italian Formula 4 series in the same year. In 2023, he continued in both championships, scoring five podiums in the Italian series, including two second-place finishes at Imola and Monza.

During the 2024 pre-season, Badoer achieved three podiums in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, before moving up to FRECA with Van Amersfoort Racing. To date, the 18-year-old has achieved seven podiums with five second-place finishes and two third places.

As part of his continued progression through the McLaren Driver Development programme, Badoer will compete for Prema Racing in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship alongside fellow McLaren Driver Development programme member Ugo Ugochukwu.

Led by F1 Business Operations Director, Stephanie Carlin, the McLaren Driver Development programme will see Brando join the team’s talent pipeline which has an overarching aim to help drivers develop towards Formula 1, IndyCar and Formula E.

McLaren’s Director of F1 Business Operations Stephanie Carlin commented: “It’s great to welcome Brando to our Driver Development programme.

“We’ve kept a close eye on him over the past year and have been impressed with his performances as a rookie in the competitive Formula Regional championship, so it made sense to exercise our option and bring him into the programme full time. We look forward to seeing him racing in papaya and supporting his development as he moves to compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing.”

Commenting on his new opportunity, Badoer noted: “I am excited to join the McLaren Driver Development programme. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join a team with such a great racing heritage and a proven record for developing talent.

“Competing in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema Racing will help continue my progression and I’d like to thank the whole team at McLaren for their support. I can’t wait to learn from the team’s guidance and get racing in the team’s iconic colours.”

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