HMD Motorsports is proud to announce that Leonardo Escorpioni has been named as one of the team’s official Junior Drivers. The partnership marks the beginning of what promises to be an exciting and impactful relationship as Escorpioni continues his climb through the junior open-wheel ranks.
Escorpioni enters the program following a championship-winning 2025 USF Juniors campaign. The 16-year-old Brazilian contested only the opening weekend of the 2026 USF2000 season in St. Petersburg, where he earned two podium finishes on his series debut, before making the move to USF Pro 2000 with Turn 3 Motorsports.
His transition to the next step of the USF Pro Championships ladder has been nothing short of impressive. Making his USF Pro 2000 debut in Arlington, Texas, Escorpioni qualified just a few tenths shy of pole position before converting the pace into a victory in Race One. Since then, he has continued to prove he belongs at the front of the field, quickly adapting to the highly competitive championship and currently sitting third in the standings after five rounds. Escorpioni’s most recent results saw him earn the pole position for the Freedom 90 at the Carb Night Classic during his first career oval event and went on to stand on the podium in the second position.
Prior to beginning his climb up the USF ladder in 2024, Escorpioni built an impressive karting résumé, earning wins and podium finishes in SuperKarts! USA, the United States Pro Kart Series, and the Florida Winter Tour. He first got behind the wheel at just two years old, with dreams of one day reaching the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Joining HMD Motorsports as a Junior Driver brings him one step closer to achieving that goal.
“Beginning this relationship with HMD Motorsports is so special to me,” commented Escorpioni. “I’m looking forward to spending time with the team and gaining valuable knowledge that I can apply to my own racing. I am always striving to learn and improve, and getting the opportunity to work alongside an INDY NXT team will help push me even further in my development.”
Currently in just his third season of car racing, Escorpioni has already demonstrated tremendous potential. HMD Motorsports is thrilled to welcome him to the organization and looks forward to supporting his growth as he pursues a future at the highest levels of the sport.
“We see a lot of potential in Leonardo,” added HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini. “We are committed to supporting the next generation of drivers, and we believe establishing those relationships early can play an important role in a young driver’s development. Leonardo will spend time working with our team, reviewing data, learning what it takes to compete at the next level, and continuing to develop his racecraft. We’re excited to be part of that journey and look forward to watching him grow.”
The remainder of the USF Pro 2000 season closely aligns with the INDY NXT by Firestone schedule, providing Escorpioni with valuable opportunities to work alongside the HMD Motorsports organization throughout the year. He will begin his development program with the team during the INDY NXT by Firestone race weekend at World Wide Technology Raceway on June 6-7 before returning to USF Pro 2000 competition at Road America on June 18-21.
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Photo Credit: RTD Media