Known for his smooth, technical driving style and calm race craft, the Italian joins McLaren’s stable of young talent.

Matteo De Palo is one of Italy’s most promising young racing drivers. Born in Rome, Matteo began karting in 2016.

He successfully progressed through the junior karting ranks, achieving top finishes in the 60 Mini, OK-Junior, and OK categories, as well as podium appearances in the WSK Super Master Series and the FIA Karting Academy Trophy.

After his successful karting career, he transitioned to single seaters in 2023 with Campos Racing in Spanish F4, where he claimed a race win, multiple podiums, and fifth overall in the standings, finishing the second highest out of the rookies.

In 2024, he graduated to the Formula Regional European Championship rounding out the season with one race win and one second place finish. He continues in the series in 2025 with Trident Motorsport, quickly made headlines, including a standout victory in Barcelona that saw him lead the Championship mid-season. With two race wins and seven additional podiums to his name, he clinched the Vice-Champion title.

In September, Matteo was confirmed to be stepping up into FIA Formula 3 with Trident for 2026. In November 2025, the team announced that he had joined the McLaren Driver Development Programme.