Mercedes expands junior driver roster ahead of 10th anniversary

Mercedes has confirmed its 2026 Junior Programme roster, adding two new karting talents and highlighting its decade-long commitment to developing future Formula 1 stars. The programme, which has produced current drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, now features nine drivers across various junior categories, from karting to Formula Regional. The announcement underscores the team's long-term strategy of cultivating talent from a young age to secure its future competitiveness.

Why it matters:

A successful junior programme is critical for any top F1 team's sustainability, providing a pipeline of homegrown talent and reducing reliance on the expensive driver market. With its 2026 F1 lineup entirely composed of programme graduates, Mercedes is demonstrating the tangible success of this philosophy. As the team celebrates the programme's 10th anniversary, its expansion signals a continued heavy investment in securing the next generation of champions, a key component in the long-term battle against rivals like Red Bull and Ferrari.

The details:

• The programme has added two 11-year-old karting prospects: German Mini karter Devin Titz and Italian OK NG racer Niccolò Perico.
• The full 2026 roster of nine drivers spans a wide age range and multiple nationalities:
  • Rashid Al Dhaheri (17, Emirati): Continues in Formula Regional.
  • Ethan Jeff-Hall (British): Stays in British F4.
  • Andy Consani (16, French): 2025 UAE4 vice-champion.
  • Luna Fluxá (15): Graduates from karts to Spanish F4.
  • Kenzo Cragie (15): To compete in Italian F4 and Euro4.
  • James Anagnostiadis: Continues in OK and KZ2 karting.
  • Many Nuvolini (12, French): Karting.
• Gwen Lagrue, Mercedes' driver development advisor, stated the programme's goal is continuous refinement with "performance, victories and championships as the ultimate objective."
• George Russell credited the programme as essential to his career, saying, "I genuinely wouldn’t be here today without the support."

What's next:

All eyes will be on the track performance of these junior drivers throughout the 2026 season, particularly those like Al Dhaheri in the competitive Formula Regional arena. The programme's success will be measured by its ability to not only identify talent but to guide them to championships in the junior series, maintaining the pipeline that feeds the F1 team. The 2026 season serves as a milestone year, with the team hoping for on-track success to celebrate the programme's first decade and validate its methods for the next.