Red Bull sign two new potential future stars

Red Bull has announced that two more drivers have joined its F1 junior programme, Chiara Bättig and Mattia Colnaghi, as they look to follow in the footsteps of Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

The former, from Switzerland, will step up from karting to F4 next year, whilst the latter will rise from Eurocup-3 to FIA F3, where he will compete for MP Motorsport in 2026.

Bättig showcased her skills at a recent Red Bull driver search in Portugal. The 15-year-old said: "It means a lot to me to be a Red Bull junior driver.

"I think the Red Bull junior team is really exciting, and I think they are making really good progress with their drivers. It’s my first time in a single-seater car, we adapted really well, and I’m happy about that.

"My ultimate goal is to reach Formula 1 and become world champion. My plan for next year is to race in F4, and my mindset is that I know what I’m capable of. I hope to inspire young female karters to take the same journey I am making now."

Meanwhile, Red Bull adviser and head of the team's academy, Helmut Marko, added: "This was Chiara’s first time in a formula car, coming straight from karting, and her performance was very good.

"She was successful in karts, and the speed she showed in the formula car means we are looking forward to a very successful season.

Colnaghi won six races in Spanish F4 last year, clinching the title in his rookie campaign. This season, the Italian-Argentine driver leads the Eurocup-3 standings with only three rounds left to run.

"Being selected as a Red Bull junior driver means the opportunity and the pathway to get to where I want to be, with my ultimate goal of becoming a Formula 1 world champion with Red Bull," said the 17-year-old. "Winning the Spanish F4 title last year as a rookie was a key achievement for me, as is joining the Red Bull junior team, but I must remain humble – this is very important to me."

Marko said: "Mattia is racing in Eurocup-3. He is leading the championship and will go to F3 and, as always, we want them to be frontrunners and, if possible, win the championship."