Mercedes pronounces its 2026 Junior Programme that includes two new additions, Niccol Perico and Devin Titz.
„2026 marks the tenth anniversary of our Junior Programme,“ mentioned Gwen Lagrue, Driver Growth Advisor, „a milestone that displays a decade of figuring out, growing and selling excellent expertise.
„Over time, the programme has supported and nurtured drivers akin to George Russell, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Frederik Vesti and Doriane Pin, guiding them on their path to the very best stage of our sport. Our 2026 Formulation 1 line-up is solely composed of drivers who’ve emerged from our personal programme, which is a supply of nice delight and satisfaction for all of us. It demonstrates the energy of our philosophy and units a transparent instance for the subsequent technology inside our ranks. I’m sure that our younger drivers will draw inspiration and motivation from this pathway. Sporting the colors of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formulation One Staff and representing our organisation, and the two,000 folks behind it, throughout the assorted junior classes is each an incredible honour and a major accountability.
„For these younger drivers, in addition to for my group and myself, excellence is the usual. We constantly refine and enhance our strategies of help and growth, at all times with efficiency, victories and championships as the last word goal. I sincerely hope that 2026 shall be marked with success, permitting us to rejoice this tenth anniversary in the absolute best means.“
„The group’s Junior Programme has massively helped me all through my journey each to, and in F1,“ added George Russell. „I genuinely would not be right here in the present day with out the help from the very prime, from Toto, from Gwen, and from so many individuals within the group who’ve backed me.
„What’s particular about Mercedes is that they gas your potential. They encourage you to go on the market, give all the things, and belief that you’ve what it takes. Being a part of the Junior Programme meant a lot to me. Sporting the star for the primary time was a extremely particular second, and it is one thing you put on with delight.“
„Being a part of the Junior Programme is an unimaginable alternative,“ mentioned Kimi Antonelli, „and it would not come round on daily basis. Be grateful however bear in mind there is a purpose you have been chosen. Take advantage of out of it.
„The Junior Programme gave me large help on and off the observe. I had all the things I wanted to develop and enhance. It has been an unimaginable journey and this season’s Juniors will for positive take pleasure in it as a lot as I did.“
„Our Junior Programme is constructed round one precept,“ added Bradley Lord, Staff Consultant, „to help a really choose group of drivers who’ve the expertise and character to succeed. Our younger driver roster displays not solely thrilling capability on observe, but in addition a gaggle whose angle and ambition match our personal.
„Every of those drivers has proven actual promise, and we offer the help and the surroundings for them to proceed studying and rising. Our function is to present them the instruments, the steerage and the alternatives they want, after which to let their performances communicate for themselves. There aren’t any ensures on this sport when it comes to reaching the very prime, however we’re excited to see what they’re going to obtain in 2026.“
Rashid Al Dhaheri
Emirati driver Rashid joined the Junior Programme in 2025 whereas competing in Formulation Regional. This 12 months began with the Formulation Regional Center East Trophy with R-ace GP, the group who he’ll even be competing with in his important Formulation Regional European Championship marketing campaign.
Rashid’s motorsport journey started on the age of three earlier than taking his first steps in karting the next 12 months, at simply 4 years outdated.
Rashid’s European karting profession adopted nice success, securing notable titles akin to 60Mini within the WSK Tremendous Grasp Collection (2019) and WSK Euro Collection (2019), in addition to OK Junior titles within the WSK Champions Cup and WSK Tremendous Grasp Collection (2021).
Rashid made his single-seater debut in 2023, competing in Italian F4 with Prema Racing. He completed inside the highest 10 within the Italian Championship, with a number of podiums, and secured a podium end within the prestigious Macau F4 race. In 2024, he continued to ship robust performances, in each the UAE collection and Italian F4 collection.
Rashid mentioned: „I am very proud to be a part of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme. Being surrounded by such an skilled and profitable group has helped me develop massively, each on and off the observe. Over the past season we now have labored extremely arduous, and it is nice to see that effort translating into robust outcomes. I am grateful for the steerage and help I obtain on daily basis, and I am excited to maintain pushing ahead collectively for the remainder of the season.“
Ethan Jeff-Corridor
British racer Ethan joined the Junior Programme in 2025. The 17-year-old is constant his progress in British F4 this 12 months.
Ethan loved a stellar karting profession, profitable the 2022 Rotax Max European Junior Championship and the British Open ‚O Plate‘ Junior Championship. He then grew to become the youngest winner of the Rotax Max Problem Worldwide Trophy in 2023 and received it once more the next 12 months. 2024 additionally marked a milestone second as Ethan went on to safe the FIA World Karting Championship title within the OK class. Alongside karting, Ethan additionally moved into automotive racing and claimed the Ginetta Junior Championship in his rookie season.
In 2025, Ethan stepped as much as single-seater competitors within the British F4 Championship, the place he accomplished his rookie season by ending fifth within the Drivers‘ Championship, scoring seven podium finishes and 206 factors. Through the season, he additionally achieved a podium end at Silverstone throughout the British Grand Prix weekend, a landmark second on the residence of UK motorsport.
Ethan mentioned: „It’s an absolute honour to proceed representing the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme this 12 months. Being signed with a group of this calibre is a dream come true. I’ve admired Mercedes from a younger age, and to now be a part of such an iconic organisation means an awesome deal to me. Mercedes set the benchmark in our sport, and I am grateful for the belief they’ve positioned in me as we head into the 2026 season collectively.“
Andy Consani
16-year-old Frenchman Andy joined the Junior Programme in 2025, making his debut in single-seaters by competing within the French F4 Championship. He has begun 2026 by competing in UAE4, scoring three wins and 6 podiums which made him UAE4 Vice-Champion. He’ll now race alongside fellow Junior Kenzo Craigie within the Italian F4 and Euro4 championships.
Racing runs in Andy’s blood. His father Robert is a racing driver who’s competed in European and World Rallying and most not too long ago, GT racing. His uncle has additionally competed in motorsport, and his mom has labored within the business too.
It is no shock that Andy was simply 4 years outdated when he did his first laps in a go kart. And since beginning aggressive racing, on the age of 9, he is impressed along with his perseverance, dedication and dedication.
Since beginning to race on the worldwide scene, he is achieved prime 10 finishes within the 32 Andrea Margutti Trophy (60 Mini), FIA Karting World Championship (OK Junior) and in 2024 was prime 20 within the FIA Karting European Championship (OK).
Andy mentioned: „It’s an honour to be a part of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme for this second 12 months. Strolling within the footsteps of drivers akin to George, Kimi, and Fred is superb.
„Due to the Junior Programme, I’ve realized and progressed rather a lot since final 12 months. The entire surroundings supplied to us drivers is purpose and human oriented. All the things, whether or not it’s psychological and bodily preparation or recommendation on racing, is designed to assist us succeed. I really feel grateful to be amongst the drivers chosen to be part of the Junior Programme.“
Luna Flux
Luna joined the Junior Programme in 2022, after impressing in her preliminary seasons racing in karts and exhibiting encouraging indicators of a driver on the rise. This 12 months, Luna graduates from karting and shall be racing within the F4 Spanish Championship.
She began racing in 2017 and has been travelling round Europe competing in numerous collection since 2019. She stepped as much as OK Junior in 2022 and after an excellent 12 months of growth, she remained within the class for 2023 the place she made additional progress.
In 2024, Luna moved up into the OK Senior class. The spotlight of the 12 months was her Champions of the Future Academy Program marketing campaign, the place she took quite a few victories and podiums to safe the OK Senior title. On the finish of the 12 months, she acquired the Rising Star Award from F1 Academy on the Autosport Awards.
Luna mentioned: „I’m very proud to have been a part of the Junior Programme for the previous 4 years – it looks like being a part of a household. The group helps me out and in of racing and have achieved so all the best way from karting to Formulation 4. They’ve achieved a lot to assist me get nearer to my dream of racing in F1 and I’m grateful for that continued help. This 12 months I shall be racing in Spanish F4 with Campos; I hope to attain nice outcomes and transfer upwards and onwards!“
Kenzo Craigie
British driver Kenzo joined the Junior Programme in 2023, having ascended to the highest ranks of the British karting scene. This 12 months, Kenzo steps as much as single-seater and F4, the place he’ll compete in Italian F4 and Euro4 championships.
In 2023 Kenzo competed within the UK and Worldwide Rotax and IAME karting classes. The next 12 months was a powerful season for Kenzo. He moved as much as OK Junior on the Worldwide scene and claimed the large title: the FIA Karting World Championship, together with the 2024 FIA Karting „Motion of the 12 months“ for his gorgeous efficiency on the PF Worldwide circuit. He backed that up with profitable the IAME World Remaining X30 trophy, too, and was P3 total within the Champions of the Future Euro Collection.
He moved as much as OK Senior in 2025 and clinched the Champions of the Future Euro Collection title with a P2 end in Sweden in September. His first foray into single-seaters begun initially of this 12 months with a UAE4 marketing campaign, the place he completed P3 total and was Rookie Champion.
Kenzo mentioned: „My last 12 months in karting was one other success, profitable the Champions of the Future Championship. I am excited to step as much as F4 in 2026. It may be an enormous transfer however I am able to be taught, develop and hold pushing. Let’s have a look at what we are able to do.“
James Anagnostiadis
James joined the Junior Programme mid-way by way of 2024. For 2026, James will hold racing in OK and KZ2 karting.
James started karting on the age of seven and raced all through his native Australia, profitable numerous occasions throughout each state and nationwide stage.
Throughout his time in Australia, specific highlights included profitable eight state championships in a number of completely different courses (akin to Cadet and Junior stage) between 2018 and 2023.
James received the inaugural Champions of the Future Academy occasion in 2023 at OK Junior stage. After this, him and his household made the transfer to Europe for the 2024 season the place he raced in numerous worldwide championships with Kart Republic and Argenti Motorsport.
It was a robust season in OK Junior for James the place he was Vice-Champion on the FIA Karting World Championships, simply behind fellow Junior Driver Kenzo, and in addition soared to the Champions of the Future Academy Program title in OK Junior.
He moved as much as OK Senior and completed an awesome season, ending Vice European Champion and 4th within the World Championship in Sweden. James was additionally nominated FIA Rookie of the 12 months in OK.
James mentioned: „Being a part of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Staff is a large honour for me and an enormous motivation to maintain pushing on daily basis. Racing in OK Senior and KZ2 with Kart Republic offers me the proper surroundings to develop, be taught, and compete on the highest stage. I am proud to characterize Mercedes and might’t watch for the 12 months forward.“
Many Nuvolini
French racer Many Nuvolini joined the Junior Programme in 2025 and can compete in OK Junior this 12 months.
Many started karting on the age of six and has since competed in quite a few nationwide and worldwide championships. He has achieved a number of notable outcomes, together with podium finishes within the WSK collection and the Italian Karting Championship.
In 2025, Many grew to become Vice-Champion of the Champions of the Future collection within the OK-N Junior Class.
Many mentioned: „I’m very pleased to be a part of the Mercedes household and to be a part of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Staff Junior Programme. I’ll at all times give my greatest to stay as much as what the group expects of me and the way I wish to characterize myself. I’m proud and motivated for the 12 months forward and to proceed to chase my desires!“
Devin Titz
German driver Devin Titz is without doubt one of the latest additions to the Junior Programme and shall be competing in Mini karting.
Born in 2014, Devin is a promising younger expertise in European karting. He started racing at simply 4 years outdated, rapidly making a reputation for himself with nice talent and dedication.
After changing into Rok Mini Rookie Champion, ADAC Kart Bundesendlauf winner, and vice-champion within the North German Kart Cup in 2022, Devin completed fourth total within the 2024 German Kart Championship, securing a number of podiums.
In 2025, Devin raced with CRG Holland and claimed the DMKM Mini Championship and secured pole on the WSK Remaining Cup in Franciacorta.
Devin mentioned: „It’s actually a dream come true to characterize the Mercedes-AMG F1 Junior Programme as a German driver. Mercedes stands for excellence and success, and I am extremely proud to be a part of this group. I want to thank Motorsport Staff Germany for nominating me for the joint expertise promotion challenge with Mercedes.“
Niccol Perico
Born in 2014 in Alzano Lombardo, Italy, Niccol is a rising star within the European karting scene and is that this 12 months becoming a member of our Junior Programme, competing in OK NG.
In 2023, Niccolo received the distinguished 51st Trofeo delle Industrie (MiniU10) held at Lonato. A 12 months later, he was topped Italian ACI Karting Champion in Mini U10 alongside wins on the Trofeo Margutti and Trofeo Industrie.
In 2025, Niccolo adopted these successes by competing within the WSK Tremendous Grasp Collection Mini Gr.3 Remaining at Lonato and stepped as much as Mini Gr.3 with Staff Driver Racing Kart, profitable the ROK Cup Superfinal.
Niccol mentioned: „It’s a nice honour for me to hitch the Mercedes-AMG F1 Staff Junior Programme. I’m assured this shall be a decisive step in my profession, and I’m actually trying ahead to profiting from this chance.“
