20 of the most exciting up-and-coming talents on the road to F1 in 2026

The next generation of Formula 1 stars have well and truly arrived with eight junior series graduates from the past five years taking their place on the 2026 grid. But who will be next to make the step up?

Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad went from Formula 4 to F1 in just four years, so it’s clear how quickly the brightest prospects can rise through the ranks. We’re taking a look at 20 talents to watch from karting wonders to single-seater hotshots — ranked in descending order by age — and where you can watch them in action this season.

1. Colton Herta

Age: 25Nationality: American2026 plans: FIA Formula 2 with Hitech

To call a nine-time IndyCar race winner ‘up-and-coming’ probably undersells what Colton Herta has already achieved. Runner-up in the series in 2024, he’s amply demonstrated his quality as a driver but made waves by deciding to switch to Formula 2 in pursuit of enough super licence points to compete in F1.

Racing outside of North America for the first time since 2016, the American would need a top-eight finish in the Standings or top-10 with Free Practice session appearances to reach the 40-point threshold. Although Cadillac have yet to make their F1 debut, they already have one eye on the future by selecting the American as their test driver.

Team Principal Graeme Lowdon will be watching with interest to see how Herta adapts to F2, but the 25-year-old is not underestimating the challenge as he goes “back to basics”. The last time an F1 team came knocking, he lacked the super licence points needed to secure the AlphaTauri seat in 2023 and Herta won’t want to let another opportunity slip out of his grasp.

2. Kalle Rovanpera

Age: 25Nationality: Finnish2026 plans: Super Formula with KCMG

It’s not every day you see a World Champion gambling on a change of discipline, but Kalle Rovanpera is another driver anxious to make the switch worthwhile. F1 fans might not recognise the name, but rally fans certain will – as the youngest and two-time World Rally Champion sent shockwaves through the motorsport world with an unprecedented move to single-seaters.

Backed by Toyota alongside being a Red Bull athlete, the newcomer is taking advantage of the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy over winter break in preparation for his Super Formula campaign, with the hopes of a move to F2 in the future. He’s got the champion mentality as he dives straight into the deep end, but the racing world will be waiting to see if he sinks or swims.

3. Luke Browning

Age: 23Nationality: British2026 plans: Reserve Driver for Williams

The 2025 F2 title wasn’t to be, but Luke Browning should be on any F1 team’s future driver wish list. Comfortably outperforming then-fellow Williams junior Victor Martins, he narrowly finished his rookie season fourth in the Standings, only 13 points off the Vice Champion spot.

Despite his win from pole in Monza marking his only victory of the season, Browning led the Championship after Round 5 in Monaco. Sundays were where the Briton shone brightest with nine top-six finishes in the first 10 Feature Races. However, a costly drop in form towards the end saw him score a solitary point in the final five races.

Rather than a sophomore F2 campaign, Browning will be keeping his racing skills sharp over in Japan’s Super Formula Championship and as Williams’ newly-announced Reserve Driver for 2026, he should quickly add to his tally of four FP1 outings.

4. Doriane Pin

Age: 22Nationality: French2026 plans: TBC

Four wins and four more podiums were enough for Doriane Pin to wrap up the 2025 F1 ACADEMY title on the second time of asking. A hard-fought campaign forced the Mercedes junior to dig deep and steady the ship as unpredictability unfolded around her.

Her unshakeable consistency eventually carried her through to glory. Remarkably, she departs the all-female series after her two season stint with a 100% point-scoring record, stretching back to her 2024 debut in Jeddah. Fans will be eager to see which grid she lights up next…

5. Leonardo Fornaroli

Age: 21Nationality: Italian2026 plans: Reserve Driver for McLaren

Wrapping up back-to-back Formula 3 and Formula 2 titles at the penultimate round last year, Leonardo Fornaroli joined an illustrious list of Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Gabriel Bortoleto. Yet the Italian looks likely to spend 2026 sat on the sidelines.

Three poles, four wins – including his first win since 2021 at Silverstone – and five further podiums, the rookie was the most consistent performer in the field. An understated talent, Fornaroli’s star quality lies in his reliability to deliver lap after lap rather than blockbuster moments.

The newly-minted McLaren junior will take on a Reserve Driver role with the team alongside his duties as Test and Development driver, so the reigning Teams’ Champions might hand him a FP1 debut soon.

6. Rafael Camara

Age: 20Nationality: Brazilian2026 plans: FIA Formula 2 with Invicta Racing

Two previous F3 Champions have won the F2 title the following year with Invicta Racing, so Rafael Camara looks set to make an untouchable combination. The Ferrari junior was crowned the 2025 F3 Champion in a resounding fashion with one round to go, but can the Brazilian match that with his third championship in as many years after his 2024 FRECA success?

Achieving four Feature Race wins and five pole positions, Camara took the record for the most poles by an FIA F3 Champion and matching the win record. Saturday’s Sprint Races proved to be his only weakness with only 18 of his 166 points scored in the reverse grid events.

7. Ella Lloyd

Age: 20Nationality: British2026 plans: F1 ACADEMY with Rodin Motorsport

The 2025 Rookie of the Year in F1 ACADEMY, expectations are high for Ella Lloyd’s return to the all-female series. Even after claiming her first win in the reverse grid Race 1 in Jeddah, it was clear the 20-year-old sets a high standard for herself as she looked for better performances in the main Sunday races.

Remaining part of the McLaren Driver Development Programme, Lloyd is a favourite for the title as the highest-returning driver. If the four-time British F4 podium finisher can pick up her Qualifying pace and recreate performances like her triple P2 finishes, she’ll be tough competition to beat.

8. Alex Dunne

Age: 20Nationality: Irish2026 plans: FIA Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport

Alex Dunne was one of the most talked about junior drivers last season. Following two respectable FP1 sessions for McLaren in Austria and Monza, he made an unexpected departure from their junior programme. Rumours linked him with a spot in the Red Bull Junior Team, while current speculation points towards a potential role at Alpine.

In the midst of this, Dunne tried to mount an F2 title charge, taking the Championship lead twice in the first six rounds. Three retirements in the final three Feature Races put an end to those ambitions, leaving Dunne fifth in the Standings – one place higher than F1-bound Lindblad. A bit too bold at times on track, if he can reign that in for his second season, he’ll be on the radar of teams across the F1 paddock.

9. Alisha Palmowski

Age: 19Nationality: British2026 plans: F1 ACADEMY with TBC

If it’s a battle of the Brits for this year’s F1 ACADEMY title, Alisha Palmowski will be hungry to come out on top. Runner-up in the 2024 GB4 Championship and after her F1 ACADEMY Wild Card debut in Qatar, she was recruited by Red Bull Racing for the 2025 season.

Winning the opening race of the year in Shanghai, Palmowski went on to claim four more podiums on her way to fifth overall. Retaining her F1 team backing, it’s up to the 19-year-old to deliver on her promise.

10. Nikola Tsolov

Age: 19Nationality: Bulgarian2026 plans: FIA Formula 2 with Campos Racing

Nikola Tsolov has one F2 podium under his belt and the Bulgarian has his sights set on ensuring plenty more come his way in 2026. A third F3 campaign saw him finally be in with a shot at the title, finishing runner-up to Camara by 42 points and setting a new record for race wins in the Championship with five.

Jumping straight into F2 at the tail end of last year, the Red Bull Junior finished third in the Yas Marina Sprint Race. Sticking with Campos Racing for his full-time move to the second tier should provide him with all the knowledge he’ll need to match his more experienced rivals.

11. Alex Ninovic

Age: 18Nationality: Australian2026 plans: Formula Regional European Championship with Rodin Motorsport

Alex Ninovic is a name you might have expected to see on this year’s F3 grid after a record-breaking GB3 Championship campaign. Outstanding Qualifying and race pace saw him deliver nine poles and 10 wins across his rookie season.

Instead, the 2025 Champion has opted for a sideways step, remaining with Rodin Motorsport as they enter FREC and the Formula Regional Middle East Trophy. Bolstered by a long-standing relationship with the team he claimed the 2024 British F4 title with, it’s a smart move. The Australian should gain the European and Middle East circuit experience that’s held back previous GB3 Champions on their graduation to the third tier.

12. Fionn McLaughlin

Age: 18Nationality: Irish2026 plans: FIA Formula 3 with Hitech

In contrast, Fionn McLaughlin is the first British F4 Champion to whizz straight into F3 without competing at a European formula regional level first. Picked up as part of the Red Bull Driver Search, the Irish racer won the British F4 title straight off the bat in his first season of single-seaters.

Five wins and nine additional podiums made sure the field took notice. However, he’ll need to have as much maturity as raw speed if he wants to make his ambitious jump to F3 pay off.

13. Kean Nakamura-Berta

Age: 18Nationality: Japanese-Slovak2026 plans: Formula Regional European Championship with TBC

Winning the longest running, and arguably the toughest F4 Championship, is no easy feat — just ask Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman and Lance Stroll. Dropped from the Alpine Academy after his 2024 season, Kean Nakamura-Berta was out for redemption and delivered it in spades.

Third overall in his second F4 Middle East campaign, he quickly established himself as the one to beat in Italian F4, netting five wins in a row. Clinching the title by 75 points, his unrivalled consistency saw him set a new record for the most podiums with 17. He followed that up with podiums in eight out of the nine E4 Championship races on his way to his second title of the year.

The Japanese-Slovak’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, signed up to the Williams Driver Academy ahead of his promotion to FR Middle East Trophy and European Championship.

14. Thomas Strauven

Age: 17Nationality: Belgian2026 plans: Eurocup-3 with Campos Racing

The most dominant Champion in Spanish F4 history, Thomas Strauven snapped up the title with four races to spare and a 157-point margin. 10 wins and 10 poles make for impressive reading and the Eurocup-4 Spanish Winter title is an added boon to his CV. A similar performance on his rise up to Eurocup-3 should set him on the path to the top tiers in no time.

15. Mattia Colnaghi

Age: 17Nationality: Italian-Argentine2026 plans: FIA Formula 3 with MP Motorsport

After two years in single-seater competition, Mattia Colnaghi has carved out a path for himself all the way to the F3 grid. Champion in his rookie Spanish F4 year in 2024, he repeated the feat in Eurocup-3.

A seven-race podium streak kept his rivals at bay, enabling him to claim the title in the penultimate round. Another talent added to the Red Bull Junior Team roster, his third season within the familiar MP Motorsport fold will smooth the transition to racing on Grand Prix weekends.

16. Freddie Slater

Age: 17Nationality: British2026 plans: FIA Formula 3 with Trident

Five titles to his name at only 17, Freddie Slater is Britain’s biggest rising star. The 2024 Italian F4 and F4 UAE Champion flourished once again, this time finishing second in FR Middle East before sealing the 2025 FRECA title.

Slater didn’t have it all his own way though. Two retirements in the first four races, and a disqualification later on, left him tied alongside title rival Matteo De Palo with four races to go. However, he held his nerve, scoring a double win in the season finale to be crowned Champion by 36 points.

Adding to his extensive record, Slater’s nine-race appearance in GB3 saw him bring home three victories, while a two-round stint in F3 yielded a podium on his debut. An undisputed title favourite, you wouldn’t bet against Slater giving Trident their fourth consecutive Drivers’ Championship.

17. Alba Larsen

Age: 17Nationality: Danish2026 plans: F1 ACADEMY with MP Motorsport

Seventh in F1 ACADEMY in 2025, Alba Larsen was both the youngest driver on last year’s grid and the highest-placed driver without a podium. Nevertheless, Ferrari have seen a star quality in her, backing the Dane for her second year as she chases the title.

Supported by the Scuderia Ferrari Driver Academy, Larsen possesses an abundance of potential as she fought tooth-and-nail against some of 2025’s leading contenders. Additional seat time in the UAE4 Series and a second season in British F4 could give her a decisive edge over her rivals.

18. Thibaut Ramaekers

Age: 16Nationality: Belgian2026 plans: TBC

A full-time F4 campaign should hopefully be on the cards for Thibaut Ramaekers after a trophy-ladened 2025. Runner-up in the Champions of the Future for the second year, he bounced back from a disappointing fifth in the CIK-FIA European Championship to snatch the World title in the OK class. Fourth overall in his debut single-seater campaign in the F4 Saudi Arabian Championship will be an encouraging sign for any future appearance.

19. Chiara Battig

Age: 15Nationality: Swiss2026 plans: British F4 with Hitech

Completing her first run in single-seater machinery as part of the Red Bull Driver Search, Chiara Battig was snapped up by the Red Bull Junior Team before she’d even finished her first season in international karting. A former F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE karter, Battig also became the first female to secure pole in the CIK-FIA European Championship OK class. Building on a positive debut in the F4 Saudi Arabian Championship, she’ll look to transfer that karting speed into the British F4 cars.

20. Rocco Coronel

Age: 15Nationality: Dutch2026 plans: TBC

Red Bull Junior Rocco Coronel stamped his mark on the UK racing scene, becoming the first non-British champion of the Ginetta Junior Championship – the same series Lando Norris made his car debut in back in 2014. A regular face on the podium, his 11 victories and a total of 19 top-three finishes in 22 races saw him cruise to the title. Handed his F4 debut for the final round of Spanish F4, he repaid the decision with a podium.

Honourable mentions

Two Mercedes juniors will be making the step up to single-seaters, with Champions of the Future OK Champion Kenzo Craigie racing in the UAE4 Series over winter break. Meanwhile, former F1 ACADEMY DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE karter Luna Fluxa takes on Spanish F4 with Campos Racing, after her 2024 Champions of the Future Academy Program title saw her become the first female winner of an FIA International karting championship since 1966.

Noah Baglin became the 25th young driver to join the SFDA, going on to top the FIA International Karting rankings after his CIK-FIA World and Champions of the Future titles in the OK-J class. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Red Bull Racing reserve driver Ayumu Iwasa was leapfrogged to the Racing Bulls seat despite being crowned the Super Formula Champion but could a second title on the bounce put a promotion on the table?