Jordan's Track Talk

Tag: Matteo De Palo

  • McLaren sign Matteo de Palo to Driver Development Programme

    McLaren Racing have announced that Matteo De Palo has joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme, adding to its stable of young talent.

    The 18 year old, started karting in 2016, progressing through junior karting series with success across 60 Mini, OK-Junior and OK, with top finishes in WSK Super Master Series and the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

    The Italian, from Rome, made his single-seater debut in 2023 with Campos Racing in the Spanish F4 Championship. A successful season saw him secure a race win and three additional podiums, finishing fifth in the Championship overall.

    He also took part in rounds of the Italian F4 and British F4 Championships. In 2024, he stepped up into the Formula Regional European Championship, with one race win and one second place finish.

    This year, Matteo competed in FRECA with Trident Motorsport, winning four races and visiting the podium on another seven occasions, securing second place in the Championship.

    The team also confirms that Ugo Ugochukwu, Martinius Stenshorne and Brando Badoer will not continue with the McLaren Driver Development Programme past the end of the year.

    The McLaren Driver Development Programme is pleased to welcome Matteo. He is an exciting young talent who has made great progress over the past seasons, showing adaptability, consistency and growth. We look forward to supporting his development across driving, as well as the wider aspects of being a professional driver, within our programme pathway. We also thank Ugo, Martinius and Brando for their contribution to McLaren and wish them the best for the future.
    Alessandro Alunni Bravi, Chief Business Affairs Officer.

    Joining the McLaren Driver Development Programme is a great honour. The team have a fantastic track record for developing talent, so I am excited to grow across all elements of being a racing driver. Thank you to Zak, Alessandro and the entire McLaren team. I am excited to get out on track in papaya.
    Matteo on the news.

  • Matteo De Palo signs with Trident

    TRIDENT have confirmed the signing of Matteo De Palo for the 2026 FIA Formula 3 campiagn.

    The 17 year old graduates from the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, where he is currently competing with Trident and sits second in the standings with two rounds remaining.
    He has taken four race wins so far in 2025, and a further four podium finishes.

    Prior to this season, De Palo raced in the Spanish F4 in 2023, finishing fifth overall before moving up to FRECA in 2024.

    The Italian is Trident’s second confirmed driver for next season after Freddie Slater was announced earlier in the month.
    De Palo said he was excited to be stepping up with Trident in 2026.

    I am very happy to continue my collaboration with TRIDENT Motorsport as I make my debut in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. It will be a huge challenge, and I will give my utmost to make it an unforgettable season.
    De Palo on the news.

    We are extremely proud to announce that Matteo De Palo, currently fighting for the title with TRIDENT in Formula Regional, will race under TRIDENT Motorsport colours in the 2026 FIA Formula 3 Championship. This is a great source of satisfaction for us because, just like Leonardo Fornaroli before him, Matteo will continue his career path within TRIDENT Motorsport. It will be a significant step for him, as the cars are very different, but we will have the time to prepare him thoroughly. Matteo has already shown, in his second year in Formula Regional, that he is an extremely competitive and consistent driver – qualities that are essential for success in the FIA Formula 3 Championship.
    Giacomo Ricci, Team Manager.