{"id":276954,"date":"2025-11-11T05:19:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T05:19:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/276954\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T05:19:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T05:19:16","slug":"f1-news-mclaren-dumps-three-drivers-from-f1-junior-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/276954\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 news: McLaren dumps three drivers from F1 junior program"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"McLaren
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUgo Ugochukwu drove for Prema in the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2025 as a McLaren junior. Image: XPB Images<\/p>\n

The clear-out comes just a few months after Formula 2 driver Alex Dunne decided not to continue with McLaren.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith multiple wins and podiums across their time with the team, we thank them for their contribution to McLaren and wish them the best for the future,\u201d McLaren said of the trio.<\/p>\n

The departures were confirmed with the announcement McLaren has added Matteo De Palo to its academy.<\/p>\n

De Palo joins IndyCar driver Pato O\u2019Ward, Formula 4 driver Dries Van Langendonck, and Ella Lloyd of F1 Academy fame in the development driver pool.<\/p>\n

Ugochukwu was the longest-tenured of the trio, having signed with McLaren in 2021 at just 13 years old.<\/p>\n

The young American was touted as a Formula 1 star of the future after early success in karts.<\/p>\n

He was a title winner in Formula 4 in 2023, a race winner in Formula Regional in 2024, and won the Macau Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

His first season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship was luckless, only twice standing on the podium with Prema in 2025. In 2026, he will join Campos.<\/p>\n

Stenshorne lasted just two seasons with McLaren. The Norwegian was signed in 2024 the year after finishing second to Kimi Antonelli in the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship.<\/p>\n

He graduated to the FIA Formula 3 Championship and in 2024 won one race on his way to 18th in the championship. In 2025, he finished fifth with two race wins.<\/p>\n

Stenshorne will graduate to the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2026 with Rodin Motorsport.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

Former McLaren junior drivers Ugo Ugochukwu (far left) with Martinius Stenshorne (second from left) and Alex Dunne (second from right).<\/p>\n

Brando Badoer, the son of ex-Formula 1 driver Luca Badoer, only joined the McLaren driver development roster this year.<\/p>\n

The Italian has worked his way up the Formula 1 feeder series ladder with some success, finishing on the podium in Formula 4 and Formula Regional.<\/p>\n

Badoer\u2019s graduation to the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Prema this year saw him struggle to crack the top 20, but by the end of the year he had three top 10 finishes in the final five races.<\/p>\n

McLaren\u2019s latest signing, De Palo, finished second to Freddie Slater in this year\u2019s Formula Regional European Championship.<\/p>\n

De Palo will step up to the FIA Formula 3 Championship in 2026 with Trident.<\/p>\n

\u201cJoining the McLaren Driver Development Programme is a great honour,\u201d said De Palo.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe team have a fantastic track record for developing talent, so I am excited to grow across all elements of being a racing driver.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you to Zak (Brown), Alessandro (Alunni Bravi) and the entire McLaren team. I am excited to get out on track in papaya.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, McLaren Racing\u2019s chief business affairs officer, labelled De Palo an \u201cexciting young talent\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to supporting his development across driving, as well as the wider aspects of being a professional driver, within our programme pathway.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also thank Ugo, Martinius and Brando for their contribution to McLaren and wish them the best for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n


\n \"\"
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