The McLaren family is expanding with a new Italian addition: 18-year-old Matteo De Palo, who will soon compete in Formula 3. McLaren Racing announced today that De Palo has joined its Driver Development Programme, further strengthening the team’s pool of young talents linked to the British outfit.
Born in Rome, Matteo De Palo began his karting career in 2016, quickly standing out in categories such as 60 Mini, OK-Junior, and OK. He achieved notable results in prestigious competitions including the WSK Super Master Series and the FIA Karting Academy Trophy, signaling his potential as a rising star in motorsport.
In 2023, Matteo De Palo made his debut in single-seaters with Campos Racing in the Spanish Formula 4 Championship. He secured one victory, three podium finishes, and finished fifth overall in the championship standings. During the same year, he also competed in selected rounds of both the Italian F4 and British F4 championships, gaining valuable experience on multiple circuits.
The following year, in 2024, Matteo De Palo moved up to the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA), achieving one victory and one second-place finish. In the current season, driving for Trident Motorsport, he has claimed four wins and seven podiums, ultimately finishing second in the championship — a clear demonstration of his talent, consistency, and racecraft.
Looking ahead, the Italian prospect will sport McLaren’s iconic papaya livery at the Macau Grand Prix in 2025 before making his official FIA Formula 3 debut in 2026. His inclusion in McLaren’s young driver programme, led by Chief Business Affairs Officer Alessandro Alunni Bravi, places him on a structured pathway aimed at nurturing drivers toward Formula 1, INDYCAR, and McLaren’s future involvement in the World Endurance Championship (WEC).
At the same time, McLaren confirmed that Ugo Ugochukwu, Martinius Stenshorne, and Brando Badoer will not continue with the programme beyond the end of the year. The team thanked them for their contributions and results, wishing them the very best in their future careers.
Statements from McLaren
Alessandro Alunni Bravi expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration with the Roman driver: “We are delighted to welcome Matteo into the McLaren Driver Development Programme. He is a promising young talent who has demonstrated significant growth, consistency, and adaptability over the past seasons.”
He added: “We will support his development both on track and in the wider aspects of a professional racing career. We also thank Ugo, Martinius, and Brando for their contributions and wish them every success in the future.”
Matteo De Palo commented on joining McLaren: “Being part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme is a huge honor. The team has an extraordinary tradition of nurturing young talents, and I am excited to improve in every aspect as a driver. I want to thank Zak, Alessandro, and the entire McLaren team. I can’t wait to get on track in papaya!”
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