Audi signs up Freddie Slater as first member of driver academy

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Audi has taken its first decisive step in shaping a future F1 driver pipeline, locking in reigning Formula Regional European champion Freddie Slater as the inaugural signing of its newly launched Driver Development Programme.

Ahead of its official F1 debut next month in Melbourne, Audi’s long-term vision is already beginning to crystallise – and it starts with betting on youth, pedigree and momentum.

At just 17 years old, Slater already looks like a prospect built for the fast lane, and Audi has wasted little time in placing him at the heart of its junior strategy.

A first cornerstone for Audi’s academy vision

Audi’s new programme will be overseen by former F1 racer and three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Allan McNish, a man synonymous with the German manufacturer’s endurance racing success.

For McNish, Slater represents both a statement of intent and a blueprint for the future.

Slater’s CV is already eye-catching. A former European and World Karting champion, he swept up the UAE and Italian Formula 4 titles in 2024 before conquering the Formula Regional European Championship last season – all with Prema.

The next step comes this year in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, where he will race with Trident, a team that has nurtured the past three F3 champions.

For Slater, the call from Audi carries both weight and meaning.

“It’s an incredible honour to be the first driver selected for the Audi Driver Development Programme,” Slater said. “Audi is a brand with a legendary motorsport history, and to have their trust and support at this crucial stage of my career is a dream come true.

“Joining forces with a respected team like Trident Motorsport for Formula 3 and having the backing of Audi F1 Team is a massive opportunity. I am fully focused on working hard and making the most of this pivotal step towards my goal of reaching Formula 1.”

The Ideal Candidate

McNish made clear that Slater’s results only tell part of the story.

“In Freddie, we see the immense potential of a future star,” said the Scot. “His track record is remarkable, but more importantly, he possesses the focus, determination, and willingness to learn that are essential for reaching the pinnacle of our sport.

“He is the ideal candidate to be the first signing of the Audi Driver Development Programme, and we are committed to providing him with the tools, mentorship, and support he needs to succeed as he steps up to Formula 3 with Trident Motorsport.

Read also: McNish to lead Audi in-house driver development programme

This is the first step in building our future on and off the track.”

Before his F3 campaign begins, Slater is sharpening his edge in New Zealand’s Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, where he currently sits second in the standings – another marker of a career that, for Audi, already looks pointed firmly forward.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.