Photo: Prema
Brando Badoer has earned full McLaren Formula 1 junior status for 2025, as well as a FIA Formula 3 Championship seat at Prema.
The 18-year-old son of ex-F1 driver Luca was signed to the McLaren Driver Development Programme [MDDP] a year ago on a one-year deal to be an ‘optioned driver’. The team did not say what that entailed, but Badoer had “the potential to sign to the [MDDP] full-time at the end of his evaluation” and that has now occurred.
“I am excited to join the MDDP. It’s a fantastic opportunity to join a team with such a great racing heritage and a proven record for developing talent,” said Badoer.
McLaren’s F1 business operations director Stephanie Carlin said Badoer had “impressed with his performances as a rookie in the competitive Formula Regional [European] Championship” this year, prompting the decision to make him an F1 junior.
Badoer started 2024 in FRegional Middle East, coming 10th in the standings with three podiums. He is currently fifth in the FREC standings, having made the podium seven times, and is in contention to be championship runner-up.
“Competing in the 2025 FIA F3 Championship with Prema will help continue my progression and I’d like to thank the whole team at McLaren for their support. I can’t wait to learn from the team’s guidance and get racing in the team’s iconic colours,” added Badoer.
Prema’s team principal Rene Rosin called Badoer “a very interesting prospect” after signing him.
“We are delighted to give him an opportunity for 2025. We have kept an eye on him because we noticed his potential from F4 to FREC, and we saw him make an impressive step this season. F3 will be challenging, as it usually is, but he has the right attitude to quickly gel with the team and series.”