Mattia Colnaghi will continue his impressive rise through the ranks with MP Motorsport, stepping up to FIA Formula 3 in 2026 after back-to-back championship victories in the team’s colours. The 17-year-old Italian has enjoyed a meteoric start to his career, claiming the 2024 Spanish F4 title and following it with the 2025 Eurocup-3 crown.
Remaining with MP Motorsport for a third straight year feels like a natural next step for Colnaghi, who now joins the Red Bull Junior Team ahead of his F3 debut.
“Obviously, it’s great to be here,” said Colnaghi on joining the 2026 F3 grid. “It’s great to be in a prestigious team like MP Motorsport, and with the support of the Red Bull Junior team. I feel like I have the opportunity of a lifetime.
For Colnaghi, the partnership marks more than just a step up the ladder — it’s the result of years of dedication and a relationship built on trust and growth. He reflected on his journey with the team so far and how their guidance has shaped his success.
“I have been guided by them to success, so I’m really excited to get the season underway next year,” he added, continuing, “I already did Spanish F4 with them, it was a great season with them, racking up six wins and 12 podiums, and bringing home the title. This year we have won the Championship Standings with five wins, and to be honest I cannot really complain. The team has been by my side the whole time, and it’s been great.”
Setting the benchmark early
Colnaghi got his first taste of the Formula 3 car at the post-season tests and set the fastest time in Imola. Colnaghi was speaking prior to the post-season tests, with the Italian ending up with the fastest time on the last day of running on home soil in Imola.
His early pace underlines why Red Bull and MP Motorsport are confident in his potential. Yet, before taking to the track, the young Italian had already been hard at work studying and preparing for the next level.
“I’ve watched most F3 races this year to try to learn as much as possible for next year,” said Colnaghi. “The racing looks really good, the car is built to race and for side-by-side battles. So I look forward to that, and obviously a lot of sim prep, trying to simulate as much as possible the real car, the real tyres, to get the driving style right.”
Flying the flag for Italy
Colnaghi joins a strong Italian contingent in F3, joining Brando Badoer and Matteo de Palo on the 2026 grid. The new Red Bull Junior is eager to uphold his country’s proud tradition in junior single-seaters, following in the footsteps of Leonardo ‘Leo’ Fornaroli, Gabriele Minì, and Formula 1’s newest Italian, Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
“Honestly, with Gabriele, Leo and Kimi, they are all great inspirations to me,” said Colnaghi. “How they have moved up the ranks, and won Championships, and last year in F3, Leo and Gabriele were first and second, so they are big inspirations to me. I’m really excited to be part of that group next year, and hopefully I can match the results that they have been doing.”
Learning from experience
Colnaghi will be racing alongside two experienced drivers in 2026 — Alessandro Giusti and Tuukka Taponen — both of whom enjoyed strong rookie seasons this year. In addition to sharing the garage with such talented teammates, the MP driver said he had “learnt a lot” from the pair during post-season testing.
Looking ahead to next year, he revealed his plans to dedicate significant time to the simulator and focus on improving his physical strength. Furthermore, Colnaghi expressed his excitement about getting the season underway in Melbourne, his first taste of FIA Formula 3 competition. When asked what fans can expect, he described himself as a consistent and calculated racer, eager to maximise his potential throughout his rookie campaign.
“A characteristic of me as a driver, I guess you could say I am very consistent,” he said. “I do not risk too much, I find the right amount of risk to bring home the results when possible, so always looking to maximise the potential I have.”
Poised for the next challenge
As Colnaghi prepares for his F3 debut in 2026, his calm confidence and methodical approach stand out. With MP Motorsport’s proven strength and Red Bull’s backing, the young Italian steps confidently up the single-seater ladder, building his rise on consistency, hard work, and the results that have already defined his career. As he prepares to debut in Melbourne, Colnaghi channels his determination into action, ready to seize what he calls the “opportunity of a lifetime.” With talent, preparation, and confidence on his side, he races toward 2026 not just to compete—but to make his mark.
