McLaren-supported Italian set for new challenge
PREMA Racing will field Brando Badoer in the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship, the team is proud to announce. The 18-year-old Italian is currently lying third in the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine and posted impressive results in the series so far.
After rounding out his karting career, Badoer moved to single-seaters in 2022, competing in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, and making starts in the German and UAE series. In 2023, he had a positive campaign with 8 podium finishes between Italian F4 and Euro 4.
For 2024, he made the jump to Formula Regional, with more podiums in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship, before joining FRECA and delivering increasingly successful runs as the year progressed. So far, he has amassed one pole position and seven podium finishes this year.
Badoer has been observed by McLaren since late 2023 and thanks to his form and progress, he was confirmed as a member of the McLaren Driver Development Programme. He is the son of Luca Badoer, a veteran of 51 Formula 1 starts and Former F3000 Champion.
Badoer has already started his preparations for the challenging season in the extremely hard-fought FIA Formula 3 Championship.
René Rosin – Team Principal
“Brando is a very interesting prospect, and 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 FRECA, and we saw him make an impressive step this season. Formula 3 will be challenging, as it usually is, but he has the right attitude to quickly gel with the team and series.”
Brando Badoer
“I am very proud to be part of PREMA Racing for the 2025 FIA Formula 3 Championship. This is a great opportunity to keep improving in the best way possible and continue my growth as a driver. I am looking forward to this new challenge in my career, with the support of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, and can't wait to start working with the team!”