New faces at Milton Keynes
The Red Bull Junior Team continues to strengthen its roster of young talents. For the upcoming season, the program will see the Formula 3 debut of the Italo-Argentine driver Mattia Colnaghi. Adding to this growing pool of promising drivers—many of whom have already reached the highest levels of international motorsport, including Max Verstappen—the team has now welcomed 15-year-old Swiss karting star Chiara Bättig. She will step into Formula 4 in 2026, marking her first championship experience in single-seaters.
A successful test in Portugal
Chiara Bättig had already participated in the Red Bull Driver Search tests earlier this month at Estoril, driving Formula 4 cars run by the Campos Racing team. Her promotion to the Red Bull Junior Team and entry into Formula 4 for next year has generated great excitement for the young Swiss driver. In her first statements, she shared her ambitions and dreams: “Being a Red Bull junior driver means a lot to me. I think the RBJT is truly exciting, and they are making excellent progress with their drivers. This is my first time in a single-seater car; we adapted very well, and I am happy with the experience. My ultimate goal is to reach Formula 1 and become a world champion. My plan for next year is to race in F4, and I am confident in my abilities. I hope to inspire young karting drivers to follow the same path I am taking.”
Prior achievements and Helmut Marko’s endorsement
Before these accomplishments, Chiara Bättig became a three-time Swiss OK Junior karting champion and participated for a year in Alpine’s Rac(H)er program, specifically aimed at promoting female drivers. Her performance during the Estoril tests fully convinced Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s motorsport advisor: “Her performance was very strong. The speed she demonstrated in the formula car indicates that we can expect a highly successful season from her in 2026.”
With this addition, the Red Bull Junior Team further demonstrates its commitment to nurturing the next generation of motorsport talent, combining international experience, rigorous training, and high expectations to produce future stars of Formula 1. Chiara Bättig now joins the ranks of young drivers aiming to follow in the footsteps of Red Bull alumni who have made a mark at the pinnacle of racing.
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