New Talents Join the Path to F1 with Red Bull Junior Team

Miami F1 fans, here’s some exciting news from the world of future racing stars. Two young talents, Chiara Bättig from Switzerland and Mattia Colnaghi from Italy and Argentina, have officially joined the Red Bull Junior Team—taking the same developmental path once followed by Formula One champions Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.

Announced today from Salzburg, Austria, 15-year-old Bättig moves up from karting to F4 after impressing at the Red Bull Driver Search in Portugal, where she drove a single-seater car for the first time. Her goal? To inspire other young female karters and eventually become Formula One World Champion.

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Colnaghi brings a proven track record, winning the Spanish F4 title in his rookie year and currently leading the Eurocup-3 standings. He’s set to move into FIA F3 in 2026, with Red Bull eyeing him as a top prospect for future F1 success.

The Red Bull Junior Team, founded in 2001, is one of the most successful driver development programs in motorsport. With 22 alumni reaching Formula One—including current stars like Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda—the program continues to shape the sport’s future.

By ML Staff. Photos/Red Bull