In our list of the Top 5 young drivers to watch, PitDebrief looks beyond Formula 2 and 3 to showcase standout talents making waves early in their careers. Whilst the journey to the pinnacle of motorsport may seem far away, a number of standout prospects have already delivered impressive results early in their careers. From karting to single-seaters, our writers have highlighted 5 names—Freddie Slater, Pedro Clerot, Kean Nakamura-Berta, Alex Ninovic and Patrick Heuzenroeder—as young talents well worth keeping an eye on.
1. Freddie Slater
Written by Shania Wallage
Karting résumé with ample success
At only 17 years-old, Freddie Slater is already one of the most highly rated young British talents, already set for a potential future in Formula 1. His résumé is currently stacked with over nine titles, including the 2020 OK Junior World Championship and the 2021 FIA Karting European Junior Championship. When he stepped up to cars at 14 years of age, he became the youngest ever winner of the Ginetta Junior Winter Series at the end of 2022, winning 3 of the 4 races. Following this, he went and dominated the main Ginetta Junior Championship, claiming victory at 13 of the 18 races.
Single-seater dominance
His single seater debut came in 2023, where he immediately impressed by setting the fastest lap on his maiden weekend in British F4. That same year, he also competed in the Euro 4 Championship, made appearances in Italian F4, and capped off his season with a podium finish at the prestigious Macau Grand Prix.
The following year proved to be another breakout campaign. Slater opened 2024 by winning the Formula 4 UAE Championship, securing two victories, six podiums, and an impressive 10 fastest laps. Following this, he completed a full campaign in Italian F4, where he secured new records and proved how strong the young driver is. Not only did he finish with 15 race wins-which was a new record, but he also qualified on pole 11 times and set 10 fastest laps. He also won the title with the biggest ever points margin in the series.
For the 2025 season, Slater has had appearances in multiple series. He contested two rounds in Formula 3, including a Sprint Race podium in Bahrain, and has also raced in GB3 with Hillspeed. Most importantly, he is competing full-time in FRECA with PREMA Racing, continuing his rapid rise up motorsport ladder.
2. Pedro Clerot
Written by Alexa Obligar
In his second year of the series, Pedro Clerot of Van Amersfoort Racing has emerged as one of the championship contenders burning with potential and talent. As the very first champion of the inaugural season of F4 Brazil in 2022 under Full Time Sports, Clerot immediately proved what he can offer early on in the game.
The 18-year-old Brazilian also had his fair share of Formula 4 outings, mainly in 2023 with Spanish F4 where he started his season in an astonishing double-win at Spa-Francorchamps. He finished the season with 151 points to his name and 6th place in the standings.
Clerot eventually graduated to the regional level via the Formula Regional Middle East Championship with Saintéloc Racing in 2024, but this proved to be a tricky debut season for him for his best finish of the year would only be 14th—but this didn’t mean the end for his stint in the regional tier. In the same year, Clerot also started his stint in the Formula Regional European Championship with Van Amersfoort Racing, which brought him two podiums to his name. This outstanding performance as a rookie alone gave him the opportunity to repeat the series once again under the same team this year.
One of several Brazilian talents
2025 has essentially been kinder to the Brazilian in the way that it’s not only podiums he’s been getting, but also his very first FRECA win in Zandvoort. Clerot has also been on pole twice, specifically in the aforementioned track in both races of the weekend.
As Brazilians start to pave the way in the single-seater series with Gabriel Bortoleto now in F1 and Rafael Câmara being a champion in his rookie season in Formula 3, Clerot is focused on doing not just the same—but even better. With the last four rounds of the season inching closer, we will be seeing more of his talent and pace as he proves himself worthy to be moved up to Formula 3.
3. Kean Nakamura-Berta
Written by Yi Xing Lim
Karting milestones
Currently racing in Italian F4 with PREMA, Nakamura-Berta is a Japanese-Slovakian driver who has already enjoyed considerable success early in his career. The 17 year-old was a successful talent who took various karting titles on the way to his single-seater debut. He took his first European karting title in 2019 when he won the IAME International final at Le Mans. Just two years later, Nakamura-Berta emerged victorious as he won the coveted FIA 2021 Karting World Championship in the OK Junior Category. After two more years in karting, the 17-year-old claimed two additional titles—most notably the FIA Karting European Championship—before making his debut in single-seater racing.
Single-seaters
In 2023, the 17 year-old’s campaign in the Formula 4 South East Asia Championship marked his single-seater debut. During the final two rounds that consisted of six races, Nakamura-Berta went on to claim two pole positions, a podium and three fastest laps to finish P6 in the Championship. Despite missing the first round with three races, securing two pole positions and a podium on debut while still finishing inside the top ten of the Championship was an impressive achievement.
Since then, he has gone on to race in other series’ like F4 UAE, Euro 4 and Italian F4 Championships in 2024. Securing his first single-seater victory during last year’s F4 UAE campaign, Nakamura-Berta went on to finish second in the Drivers’ Standings, just four points behind Slater. The 17 year-old juggled racing commitments between Italian F4 and the Euro 4 championship–finishing sixth and third respectively in each series. He is yet to finish a single-seater championship outside the top ten.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Nakamura-Berta competed in the F4 Middle East Championship and finished third—securing one win and ten podiums along the way. However, for his main campaign this year, Nakamura-Berta returned for a second season in Italian F4. No longer a rookie, the Japanese-Slovakian driver kicked off his season strongly, claiming victory in five of the first six races. Since then, his win tally has totalled to 7, 8 pole-positions and 4 additional podium-finishes.
4. Alex Ninovic
Written by Olivia Pursehouse
Alex Ninovic is a promising young talent in the world of motorsports. The 18-year-old was born in Sydney, Australia in 2007, and has made a name for himself since then. This year marks the peak of his career thus far, stepping into GB3 with Rodin Motorsport.
Ninovic’s karting career
Ninovic started partaking in the Australian Kart Championship back in 2016, at 9-years-old. In his single season of Cadet 9, he placed third overall. A beautiful debut into the AKC, proving his talent. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, he moved into the Cadet 12 category for AKC, notably finishing fourth overall in 2018 and 2019.
The 2019 season also saw him compete in WSK Open Cup, and the ROK Cup Superfinal. After a break in 2020, he fought to impress in 2021. Entering the KA4 Junior category of AKC, he came out victorious, and was crowned Champion.
2022 was Ninovic’s final year competing in AKC. He moved into the KA3 Senior category and took home the Championship once again. The Australian created an impressive karting portfolio for himself, and it was no surprise when he headed to Europe.
Single seaters
Ninovic made the jump from Australia to Europe for the 2023 season. His first series of single seaters was set, and he took part in Spanish F4. In the 2023 season, he came home with a single podium, but finished 10th overall.
The following year, he once again took part in limited Spanish F4 races, although shifted his focus to British F4. The highlight of his career so far came out of the 2024 British F4 season. The Australian finished the season as runner up. Adding to this, he scored an impressive five wins, 18 podiums, three pole positions, and five fastest laps.
Off the back of an impressive British F4 season, it was no surprise when Ninovic got the call up to GB3. Throughout the 2025 season, Ninovic is competing with Rodin Motorsport. The Australian currently leads the Championship with 288, ahead of two budding Australians, Pat Heuzenroeder and Gianmarco Pradel.
5. Patrick Heuzenroeder
Written by Yi Xing Lim
Australian Karting scene
In comparison to other drivers, Heuzenroeder’s career has taken a different path that led up to his debut in the European single-seater scene. After a trip to Sydney’s Eastern go-kart track, the Australian’s love for motorsport started where he then spent 3 year karting in Australia. In 2022, Heuzenroeder made his single-seater debut, competing in both the Australian Formula Ford Championship and the Formula Ford New South Wales Championship, where he secured third place. At the age of 16, the Australian moved to the UK and joined the single-seater scene in Europe.
Transition into European single-seaters
First for Heuzenroeder was the Formula Winter Series. The Australian took part in two races and was unsuccessful in claiming any points. But for his first full European racing campaign in 2023, his commitment lied in British F4. On debut, Heuzenroeder scored his first points at Race 3 in Donington Park where he finished P7. Just two rounds later, the 19 year-old crossed the line to claim his first podium and only podium of the year at Snetterton. Ending his first year of racing in Europe, the Australian wrapped up his British F4 season finishing 19th in the Drivers’ Standings. Later that year, Heuzenroeder announced his arrival to GB3 with Elite Motorsport. Having contested in the final two rounds, he went on to finish 12th in the Drivers’ Standings, with his best result being a third-place finish in the reverse-grid race during the final round in Zandvoort.
Getting a taste of GB3 in 2023, the Australian returned to the grid to make his full-time debut in the series in 2024 with JHR Developments. Heuzenroeder wrapped up his rookie season 12th in the standings with 189 points and a single podium. He committed to a second full campaign this year but first contested the Formula Regional Oceania Championship—won by Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad. In recent years, the series has become popular for young drivers preparing ahead of the European season. There, he secured P4 overall with one win and three podiums. After a year with JHR Developments, Heuzenroeder made a move to Xcel Motorsport for his 2025 season. Now back in GB3, the Australian sits second in the standings behind Ninovic, having already claimed a victory and three podium finishes.
