10 feeder series drivers you should watch in 2026

2026 is here and for me, that means I can ‘officially’ start getting excited about what, or who rather, will be entertaining us on track in 2026. I’ve picked 10 drivers who are worth taking the time to watch in 2026.

Rafael Camara - Invicta Racing - Formula 2

The reigning Formula 3 Champion is following what is now a well-trodden path, from Trident in F3 to Invicta in F2, as compatriot Gabriel Bortoleto and Leonardo Fornaroli have done in the past two seasons.

Camara holds the astonishing record of never finishing lower than fifth in any championship he’s ever competed in and will hope to maintain that statistic as he embarks on his F2 season. With that fact in mind, it is highly likely he’ll be a factor this season at the front.

Colton Herta - Hitech TGR - Formula 2

The award for Least Surprising Name on the List…Part of me is still in disbelief this driver is even a ‘feeder series’ racer this year. At 26, he’s something of an elder statesman, as well as being a literal Statesman, the American will almost certainly be fighting at the front this season.

It seems more likely than not that he’ll be on the 2027 F1 grid with Cadillac, especially considering he’s an IndyCar Series vice champion and it’s still a travesty he’s even forced to take this route to F1. Big pressure to perform, but he is certainly capable.

Freddie Slater - Trident - Formula 3

Freddie Slater’s stock has made a steady rise over the last two years as the young Brit advanced through Formula 4 and Formula Regional level racing with a caché of trophies and records, including beating Kimi Antonelli’s Italian F4 season wins record.

He’s anticipated by many to be a favourite for the F3 title and is already rumoured to have an agreement with Invicta Racing for the 2027 F2 season. We’re in ‘next Lewis Hamilton’ territory with this kid. Oh, and he’s signed with Audi!

Theophile Naël - Campos - Formula 3

French drivers are few and far between. Either they fall off the radar quick, or they reach the pinnacle. Théophile Naël seems more likely certainly to be the latter.

A Macau Formula Regional World Cup win capped an exciting 2025 for him as the St. Etienne born racer was one of the highest placed rookies in Formula 3 with Van Amersfoort Racing and has now joined 2025 Teams Champions Campos for what he’ll hope is a title charge.

Enzo Fittipaldi - HMD Motorsports - Indy NXT

Ex-F2 driver and race winner Fittipaldi returns to single seater racing after a year out racing sports cars in the European Le Mans Series.

The Brazilian-American driver won multiple F2 races and took a total of 13 podiums, totals similar to that of 2025 Indy NXT champion, Dennis Hauger before he switched from F2 to stateside. Title contender? Almost certainly.

Max Garcia - Abel Motorsports - Indy NXT

At just SIXTEEN, Max Garcia has joined the Indy NXT grid with Abel Motorsports on the back of two championship titles on the Road to Indy pathway - a seriously impressive resumé already.

Abel has been capable of winning races in the past and with this hotshot at the wheel, they may well manage again.

Kean Nakamura-Berta - TBC - FR European

Recently signed by Williams, this young British driver is another who took his most recent year by storm, becoming the first driver to win the Italian F4 and Euro 4 titles in the same season.

Formerly an Alpine backed driver, ‘KNB’ will race in Formula Regional European this year; though his team is to be confirmed.

Alex Ninovic - Rodin - FR European

A lot of people may describe moving from GB3 to FREC as sideways move, but that’s far from the truth. GB3 is a strong series, but the level of talent in FREC is seriously impressive and Alex Ninovic is no exception.

He moves to FREC as the GB3 champion and the 18 year old Aussie will hope to repeat his championship winning feat on the European stage with Rodin.

Niccolò Maccagnani - PREMA - Italian F4

Ferrari has been waiting 40 years for an Italian to win a race and even longer for a Italian champion but ‘Nicco’ could be the answer.

Signed recently to the Ferrari academy, he’s signed with PREMA for his first season in single seaters (bar his appearances in F4 UAE) and will race in Italian F4. The 15 year old will be one to keep an eye on over the next couple years.

Ary Bansal - US Racing - Italian F4

Another driver here with a championship title to his name, Ary Bansal will make his European race debut after winning the GB4 Championship in 2025.

Signing with US Racing, known for taking the fight to usual series winners PREMA, he’ll be looking to be comfortable and competitive right away.

📸 Image credits: Formula Motorsport Limited, Indy NXT, PREMA Racing, Fortec Motorsport, Audi, GB3 Championship.