McLaren Racing announced in the early afternoon today that it had exercised the option it held on the sporting performances of Brando Badoer. The 18-year-old driver thus becomes part of the McLaren Driver Development program in all respects from this month.
McLaren had already optioned the 18-year-old who is currently racing in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine. After 12 months of careful evaluation, McLaren has decided to exercise the option and place him among its academy drivers.
Badoer made his debut in Formula 4 UAE in 2022, racing in Italian Formula 4 in the same year. Last year he raced in both championships, achieving 5 podiums in the Italian series, including 2 second places obtained in Imola and Monza.
In the 2024 pre-season, he achieved three podiums in the Formula Regional Middle East, before moving to the Formula Regional European Championship with the Van Amersfoort Racing team. Since then, Brando has achieved 7 podiums, 5 second places and two third places.
McLaren, after having exercised the option on Brando, will send the Italian to race in FIA Formula 3 with the Prema team in the 2025 season. In this way Prema will have a driver line up that will include 2 drivers from the McLaren academy, because he will be there also Ugo Ugochukwu.
Stephanie Carlin, F1 Business Operations Director at McLaren Driver Development, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Brando to our driver development programme. We’ve been keeping tabs on him throughout the last year and he has impressed us with his performance as a rookie in a competitive series like Formula Regional, so it made sense to exercise the option and bring him into our program full-time. We look forward to seeing him racing in papaya colors and supporting his development in 2025, when will race in FIA Formula 3 with the Prema team.”
These are Brando Badoer’s first statements as a driver of the McLaren development program: “I’m really happy to join the McLaren Driver Development program. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join a team with such a history, not to mention how talented it is managed to launch throughout its history”.
“Racing in 2025 in FIA F3 with the Prema Racing team will help me continue my journey and I would like to thank the entire McLaren team for the support they have decided to give me. I can’t wait to learn from the team leaders and race with the team colors, which are truly iconic.”
#McLaren #welcomes #Brando #Badoer #race #Prema