McLaren Signs Rising Star Matteo De Palo to Driver Development Program
McLaren has officially welcomed 18-year-old Formula Regional European Championship runner-up Matteo De Palo into its prestigious Driver Development Programme. This significant signing is part of McLaren's renewed focus on nurturing young talent for Formula 1 and other top-tier racing categories, following a recent restructuring of its junior program. De Palo is set to compete in FIA Formula 3 next year and will make his debut under the papaya banner at the upcoming Macau Grand Prix, signaling a new chapter for both the promising Italian driver and the iconic British team.
McLaren has announced the signing of 18-year-old Matteo De Palo, the Formula Regional European Championship runner-up, to its Driver Development Programme. This move signals a fresh push by the team to cultivate the next generation of racing talent and underscores McLaren's commitment to scouting and nurturing promising young drivers.
Why it matters:
McLaren's Driver Development Programme has historically been a critical pathway for future F1 stars, including the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris. Bringing in a talent like De Palo indicates McLaren's aggressive strategy to secure future champions and maintain its competitive edge across various motorsport disciplines, from Formula 1 to IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship.
The details:
- De Palo, who finished second in the 2025 FRECA standings behind champion Freddie Slater, joins McLaren after a standout season highlighting his speed and consistency.
- The Italian sensation will compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship next year with Trident and is set to race in the prestigious Macau Grand Prix under the McLaren banner this coming weekend.
- Quotes: De Palo expressed his excitement, stating, "Joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme is a great honour. The team have a fantastic track record for developing talent, so I am excited to grow across all elements of being a racing driver."
- Program Shake-up: This signing is part of a broader restructuring within McLaren's young driver program, which saw Ugo Ugochukwu, Martinius Stenshorne, and Brando Badoer depart at the end of the year as the team refines its development approach.
- McLaren's Vision: McLaren academy boss Alessandro Alunni Bravi emphasized that De Palo's signing reinforces the program's mission to foster adaptable, well-rounded racers for the team's global motorsport endeavors.
What's next:
De Palo's integration into the McLaren Driver Development Programme will be closely watched as he moves into FIA Formula 3. His performance in Macau and the upcoming F3 season will be crucial indicators of his potential to follow in the footsteps of McLaren's past and present F1 stars. This strategic move by McLaren highlights their continued investment in youth, aiming to secure long-term success and potentially unearth the next world champion.