VRD Racing is pleased to announce that Monegasque driver Andrea Manni will join the team for the 2027 USF Juniors season, marking an exciting new chapter in his motorsport career as he makes the transition from international karting to single-seater racing.

13-year-old Manni joins VRD Racing following several successful seasons competing in some of Europe's most competitive karting championships. Having started karting in 2020, Andrea quickly established himself as a promising young talent, progressing through the OKN-Junior and OK-Junior categories and gaining valuable experience on the international stage.

Across 79 races, Manni has accumulated an impressive record of eight victories, 15 podium finishes and eight pole positions. Among his career highlights is a top-10 finish in the highly competitive WSK Super Master Series.

The move to USF Juniors represents a significant milestone in Manni's development, providing him with his first opportunity to compete in a single-seater championship as he begins his journey on the American open-wheel racing ladder.

VRD Racing team owner Dan Mitchell said: “Andrea is an exciting young talent, and we are really pleased to welcome him to VRD Racing. He's already shown some great ability and determination throughout his karting career, and we believe he has all the skills to make a successful transition into single-seater racing. Moving into USF Juniors is a big step, but it's one we're looking forward to being part of. Our job is to give Andrea the right environment, support and tools to develop as a driver, and we're excited to see what we can achieve together. We're looking forward to getting started and seeing him get behind the wheel.”

Manni, who comes from a family with strong motorsport connections, is also the cousin of Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc and his brother, racing driver Arthur Leclerc. Growing up in Monaco, motorsport has been a constant presence in his life, with Andrea first getting behind the wheel of a kart at just five years old.

Andrea Manni said: “I am delighted to be joining VRD for next year and travelling to the US to compete in USF Juniors, which is such a competitive championship. Everyone has already made me feel at home. I can't wait to get started and officially make the transition from karting to single-seaters. It's a huge step in my career.”

VRD Racing looks forward to welcoming Andrea to the team and supporting him as he embarks on this exciting next stage of his racing career.