McLaren Racing has introduced that Matteo De Palo has joined the its Driver Improvement Programme.
De Palo (18), began karting in 2016, progressing by junior karting collection with success throughout 60 Mini, OK-Junior and OK, with prime finishes in WSK Tremendous Grasp Sequence and the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.
The Roman made his single-seater debut in 2023 with Campos Racing within the Spanish F4 Championship. A profitable season noticed him safe a race win and three extra podiums, ending fifth within the championship total. He additionally took half in rounds of the Italian F4 and British F4 Championships. In 2024, he stepped up into the Formulation Regional European Championship, with one race win and one second-place end.
This yr, he competed in FRECA with Trident Motorsport, successful 4 races and visiting the rostrum on one other seven events, securing second place within the Championship. He’ll compete in papaya on the 2025 Macau Grand Prix, earlier than racing in FIA Formulation 3 for the 2026 season.
His involvement within the McLaren Driver Improvement Programme, led by Alessandro Alunni Bravi, sees him be a part of the workforce’s expertise pipeline, which has an overarching goal to assist drivers progress in direction of Formulation 1, INDYCAR, and the workforce’s upcoming World Endurance Championship entry.
The workforce additionally confirmed that Ugo Ugochukwu, Martinius Stenshorne and Brando Badoer is not going to proceed with the programme previous the tip of the yr. With a number of wins and podiums throughout their time with the workforce, McLaren thanked them for his or her contribution and want them the very best for the longer term.
“The McLaren Driver Improvement Programme is happy to welcome Matteo,” stated Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Enterprise Affairs Officer, McLaren Racing. “He’s an thrilling younger expertise who has made nice progress over the previous seasons, exhibiting adaptability, consistency and progress. We sit up for supporting his improvement throughout driving, in addition to the broader features of being knowledgeable driver, inside our programme pathway. We additionally thank Ugo, Martinius and Brando for his or her contribution to McLaren and want them the very best for the longer term.”
“Becoming a member of the McLaren Driver Improvement Programme is a good honour,” added De Palo. “The workforce have a incredible observe file for creating expertise, so I’m excited to develop throughout all components of being a racing driver. Thanks to Zak, Alessandro and the whole McLaren workforce. I’m excited to get out on observe in papaya.”
