Who is Freddie Slater, the new star of motorsport?
The British driver, born on August 9, 2008, in Stratford-upon-Avon, has already shown remarkable talent in the world of motorsport. After starting his career in karting and winning several international titles, Slater now competes in FRECA, the same category where Kimi Antonelli raced two years ago. His goal is to follow in the Italian’s footsteps, with a dream called F1.
From karts to race cars
“At the age of 5, after receiving his first go-kart, Slater decided to enter the world of racing, beginning to compete.
The Englishman dominated the karting world, winning the Junior Karting World Championship in 2020 and the FIA European Karting Championship in 2021 and 2023, beating drivers such as Arvid Lindblad. His successes allowed him to make the leap into car racing, debuting in the Ginetta Junior Championship in 2022, where he won the title the following year.
Picture: Vroomkart Italia
In 2024, Slater competed in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, winning the title with Prema. He didn’t only claim the championship but also set a new record: he secured 15 victories, 11 pole positions, and 10 fastest laps in races.
To grasp how impressive his season was, you have to consider that the previous record belonged to Kimi Antonelli, who achieved 13 wins in 2022. Moreover, Slater also triumphed in the Formula 4 UAE Championship, held in the United Arab Emirates. His success opened the doors to FRECA in 2025, where he immediately showcased his talent.
How is he doing in FRECA?
Up to this point, Slater has experienced ups and downs. However, after the Zandvoort round, where he won race 1 and secured third place in race 2, the englishman became the new championship leader. The 2008-born driver now leads the standings with 83 points, just one ahead of Matteo De Palo. However, the season is still long: 14 races remain across 7 rounds.
After winning in the Netherlands and in Race 1 at Spa, Slater wants to keep doing what he does best: winning.
What are the top teams waiting for to sign him?
A question that may naturally arise is the following: why, despite his many successes and undeniable talent, has no team signed Slater to its academy?
So far, several offers have been made to the Englishman, but all have been declined. This is part of a strategy adopted by Slater himself. In fact, a key reason lies in the financial support he has. The young driver comes from a family with significant economic resources, which could allow him to continue his career without relying on a junior team program.
This could allow him, in the future, the opportunity to choose a competitive team, focusing on a project that places him at the center.
A bright future
It’s still too early to say for sure, given his young age, but Slater has the skills and the potential to prove his talent. His development in the coming years will certainly be something to watch closely, just as it has been recently with Kimi Antonelli. So, could Freddie Slater become an increasingly talked-about name in motorsport? Only time will tell.
