The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team has announced an expanded junior programme for 2025, featuring 12 young drivers competing across categories from karting to FIA Formula 3. The Class of 2025 includes our young man, the kid we have followed since karting - Rashid Al Dhaheri!
The programme continues Mercedes' long-standing approach to driver development, with its success reflected in 2025 as two graduates, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, form the F1 team’s race line-up. Reserve driver Fred Vesti is also a former junior programme member. 'Our Kid' Al Dhaheri hopes to follow in their footsteps.
Mercedes’ Driver Development Advisor, Gwen Lagrue, outlined the scope of the programme for 2025: "2025 marks a special year for the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team's Junior Programme, which was reborn in 2016. Both of our F1 drivers this year have come from our own programme and are showing the way for all our young drivers.
"We have allowed ourselves to explore new championships and challenges this year, welcoming six new members from karting all the way up to FIA Formula 3. Some of our junior drivers are ready to fight for their respective championships.
"Some are just starting their journey in single-seaters, some are at the end of their karting careers and others are at the beginning. At all levels, we have some exciting talents and a busy season ahead," added Largue.
Russell and Antonelli both graduated from Mercedes juniors
Mercedes F1 driver and former junior programme graduate George Russell highlighted the impact of the scheme on his career: "The Junior Programme has been such a big part of my life. I think the one thing I'm most grateful for is the support that everyone in the team gave me to help me perform.
"They didn't just drop me in situations and pile on the pressure; for all 12 of the current junior drivers, I know they will have the very best support and structure to help them on their motorsport journey.
"With Kimi and I, both Junior Programme graduates, racing in F1 for the team this year, it shows what is possible. I am sure every one of the juniors will be giving it their all this year and I look forward to seeing their success on track."
Kimi Antonelli, who joins Russell at the F1 team this year, credited the junior programme for shaping his career: "The Junior Programme helped me develop so much, not only as a driver but also as a person. I'm so grateful to the team for the opportunity and the support, as without it, I don't think I would be sat here as a works Mercedes driver in F1.
"It's great to see the programme going from strength to strength and I look forward to playing my part in helping all 12 drivers on their motorsport journey," added Antonelli.
One of the selected drivers is Al Dhaheri, a driver whose career we at GRANDPRIX247 have followed since his Karting days, this is what Mercedes had to say of their new recruit: "Emirati driver Rashid joins the Junior Programme for 2025. The 16-year-old will compete in the Formula Regional European Championship with Prema Racing."
Al Dhaheri: I'm very proud to be joining the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
The CV continues: "Rashid's motorsport journey began at the age of three, and he quickly rose through the ranks, winning the WSK Super Master Series and the South Garda Winter Cup in the 60 Mini category. In 2023, he made his single-seater debut with Prema Racing in the Italian F4 Championship, finishing 10th overall and taking P3 at Macau. Rashid continued to impress in 2024, competing in the Formula 4 UAE Championship and the Euro 4 Championship."
Al Dhaheri said of his break with one of the sport's great Formula 1 teams:: "I'm very proud to be joining the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team's Junior Programme, which has been so strong in recent years. Formula Regional this year will be a new experience, new tracks, with a new car,.
"There's a lot of learning to do. My biggest goal is to always give 100% and to keep developing. I'm still at an early point in my career and we never stop learning," added Rashid, who will now shift his focus to the upcoming European leg of his 2025 campaign, beginning with FRECA testing this month, ahead of the championship’s May start.
The 2025 Mercedes junior programme line-up
- FIA Formula 3: Noah Strømsted (Denmark)
- F1 Academy & Formula Regional European Championship: Doriane Pin (France)
- Formula Regional European Championship: Rashid Al Dhaheri (UAE)
- GB3 Championship: Yuanpu Cui (China)
- Italian F4 & Euro 4 Championship: Alex Powell (Jamaica/USA)
- British F4: Ethan Jeff-Hall (UK)
- French F4: Andy Consani (France)
- Karting (OK-Senior): Luna Fluxa (Spain), Kenzo Craigie (UK)
- Karting (OK-Junior): James Anagnostiadis (Australia), Julia Montlaur (France), Many Nuvolini (Italy)
The 2025 season will see the young drivers competing in a range of championships, with Mercedes continuing to oversee their development as part of its long-term talent strategy.
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