Mercedes has officially unveiled its 2026 Junior Programme, a project that celebrates its tenth anniversary this year and continues to represent one of the most structured development pathways toward Formula 1. Among the nine young talents selected, one Italian driver stands out: Niccolò Perico, born in 2014, a rising star of European karting who now officially joins the Mercedes academy, following a path similar to that of Kimi Antonelli.
Born in Alzano Lombardo in 2014, Perico has already made a name for himself on the international karting scene. In 2023, he claimed the prestigious 51st Trofeo delle Industrie title in the Mini U10 category. In 2024, he was crowned ACI Karting Italian Champion in the Mini U10 class, adding major victories such as the Trofeo Margutti and another Trofeo delle Industrie triumph to his growing résumé.
Who is the new Italian driver chosen by Mercedes like Antonelli?
In 2025, he continued his development in the WSK Super Master Series Mini Gr.3 and the ROK Cup Superfinal, consistently delivering strong performances and securing notable results. In 2026, he will step up to the OK NG category under the supervision of the Mercedes junior programme.
Perico shared his excitement about joining the German manufacturer’s academy. “It is a great honour for me to join the Mercedes Junior Programme. I am convinced this will be a decisive step for my career and I cannot wait to make the most of this opportunity.” His words underline a clear awareness of how significant this move is at such an early stage of his racing journey.
The Mercedes Junior Programme includes drivers competing in categories ranging from karting all the way to Formula Regional. Over the years, the initiative has guided talents such as George Russell and Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1, both of whom are now integral parts of the official line-up.
The arrival of Niccolò Perico also sends an important signal for Italian motorsport. Mercedes continues to invest in carefully selected young prospects from the grassroots levels, with the clear objective of building the future from the foundations up.
For the young Italian, an ambitious pathway now begins within an environment that in recent years has proven capable of transforming raw talent into drivers ready for the very top. The other drivers selected for the 2026 programme are Rashid Al Dhaheri, Ethan Jeff-Hall, Andy Consani, Luna Fluxa, Kenzo Craigie, James Anagnostiadis, Many Nuvolini and Devin Titz.
This strategic expansion of the Mercedes academy underscores the team’s commitment to scouting long-term prospects who can thrive under the pressure of a high-performance environment. By bringing in Perico at the age of 11, the same age at which Antonelli was recruited, the Brackley-based squad is doubling down on its philosophy of long-term development. As the 2026 season unfolds, the eyes of the Italian racing world will be on this young talent as he begins his climb toward the pinnacle of motorsport.
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