Every season, the feeder series drivers fighting their way up the ladder are filled with talent, but only a handful naturally draw attention. Sometimes it’s form, sometimes timing, sometimes the situation they’re stepping into.
In 2026, these five feeder series drivers stand out for different reasons, and this is a look at who they are and why their seasons are worth watching.
Rafael Câmara
Rafael Câmara enters 2026 as one of the most talked-about feeder series drivers after consecutive titles in FRECA and FIA Formula 3. He steps up to Formula 2 with Invicta Racing as one of the strongest prospects in the field. A Ferrari Driver Academy member, his objective is clear: fight for the F2 title and convert momentum into a Formula 1 opportunity.
This season is decisive. A third straight championship would place Câmara among a very small group of elite feeder series drivers and could be enough to secure an F1 seat.
Alex Dunne
Alex Dunne enters the 2026 season with clear title ambitions after an impressive rookie year in Formula 2 that firmly placed him on the radar. Among the most marketable feeder series drivers, his departure from McLaren’s programme, near move to Red Bull, and interest from Alpine give him leverage few others possess.
The goal now is to fight for the championship, secure Super Licence points, and prove greater maturity in race management to strengthen his case for Formula 1.
Freddie Slater
Freddie Slater arrives in 2026 as one of the most highly regarded prospects in the junior ladder, coming off the FRECA title and carrying a reputation built over several dominant seasons. After making two cameo appearances last year and securing a podium at the round with AIX Racing, Slater steps into FIA Formula 3 as a full-time rookie with Trident, the reigning championship-winning team of the past three seasons.
The British driver also enters this season as the first signing of Audi’s new junior programme, with the objective of fighting for the F3 title in his rookie year and confirming his status as one of the standout feeder series drivers of the current generation.
Ella Lloyd
Ella Lloyd enters 2026 focused primarily on F1 Academy, where she will contest the bulk of her season after an outstanding rookie campaign. Last year, she finished as the top rookie in the standings, scoring five victories and a further podium, immediately establishing herself as one of the category’s reference points.
Backed by the McLaren Driver Development Programme, Lloyd starts the season as a genuine title contender, with the objective of converting early success into a championship fight and confirming her status as one of the leading feeder series drivers in the series.
Alba Larsen
Alba Larsen enters 2026 building on two seasons of rapid progression that have established her as one of the most promising young drivers in the junior ladder. Competing primarily in F1 Academy this year, Larsen does so for the first time as a Ferrari-backed driver, adding visibility and expectation to her campaign.
After a strong development phase that showcased her adaptability and race craft in her first year in F1 Academy, her objective is to take a clear step forward in results and consistency, positioning herself as a regular front-runner. In a field of feeder series drivers with rapidly rising profiles, her season is one of the most “watch the trajectory” stories on the grid.
Watching the road unfold
Taken together, these five feeder series drivers represent different stages of the same journey. Some are chasing immediate promotion, others are building momentum, and a few are laying foundations that may only pay off in the coming years.
What connects them is opportunity. In 2026, timing, team context and adaptability will matter just as much as raw speed. For anyone watching the road to Formula 1, these are the names most likely to shape the conversation as the season unfolds.
