F3 champion Gabriel Bortoleto joins McLaren Driver Development programme

McLaren Racing introduced that they’ve added two new drivers to their Driver Development Programme, together with Gabriel Bortoleto who’s the reigning FIA Formula 3 Champion

Bortoleto made his single seater debut in 2020 within the Italian F4 Championship the place he gained within the Monza and Mugello rounds. He then moved on to the Formula Regional Championship by Alpine in 2021 and 2022, earlier than gaining a seat in Formula 3 with Trident.

In addition, McLaren Racing has signed a one-year possibility on Italian Formula 4 driver Brando Badoer. The Italian driver shall be assessed by the crew over the subsequent 12 months as an Optioned Driver, with the potential to signal to the programme full time on the finish of his analysis.

Bortoleto and Badoer will work underneath the mentorship of former McLaren take a look at driver, Formula 1 driver and Le Mans winner, Emanuele Pirro, who leads the programme.

The McLaren Driver Development programme was fashioned in April, with the goal to help younger drivers of their improvement from karting to skilled racing driver to facilitate the development of rising expertise into F1.

Bortoleto and Badoer be part of Arrow McLaren IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward, McLaren Formula 1 Team 2024 Reserve Driver Ryo Hirakawa and McLaren Young Driver, Ugo Ugochukwu.

Emanuele Pirro, Director, McLaren Driver Development programme, stated: “I’m happy to welcome Gabriel to the McLaren Driver Development programme. I’ve identified him effectively because the starting of his motorsport profession and he’s acquired all that’s wanted on and off monitor to be a star. He additionally matches very effectively with our crew tradition at McLaren. I sit up for working with Gabriel and serving to him develop in his motorsport profession.

“I additionally sit up for working with Brando Badoer, who we signal as an Optioned Driver, as we proceed to guage him over the subsequent 12 months. They be part of our proficient line-up of drivers who we shall be working with on their particular person improvement, to offer them the instruments they should progress of their careers.”

Commenting on the announcement, Bortoleto added: “I’m excited to be becoming a member of the McLaren Driver Development programme. I’m grateful to McLaren and Emanuele for giving me this chance.

“I’ve already been in the MTC for a tour and to meet the team, which was a really nice experience. I’m looking forward to continuing working on my development alongside a great team.”