Title winners remain a team as operation expands to next level of the ladder
ORLANDO, FL – In 2025, in only their second year in the USF Pro Championships Presented by Continental Tire, Zanella Racing and Leonardo Escorpioni achieved both of the goals that they’d set out for themselves in the off-season. Escorpioni won six races in the USF Juniors series enroute to the Driver Championship, while he and his teammates worked together to bring Zanella Racing the prestigious Team Championship as well. After celebrating with Zanella in 2025, the 15-year-old will remain with the Orlando, FL based operation for 2026, bringing his $250,000 scholarship with him as the team expands into the USF2000 series.
“We have been developing Leo’s racing career since he was just 10 years old, and what he has achieved so far is extremely impressive,” offered Team Owner Jose ‘Naka’ Zanella. “He is highly determined and resilient, and after showing strong pace during the off-season, we have no doubt he will be successful in 2026 as a rookie.”
Escorpioni has been racing with Zanella since 2021 in national level karting and has developed greatly over the last two seasons in the USF Pro Championships. As a rookie in USF Juniors in 2024, Leonardo wrapped up a learning season with eight top-10 finishes and a podium result at VIR, finishing ninth overall in the final standings. The light switch went on during the off-season and Escorpioni emerged as a frontrunner for 2025, winning the YACademy Winter Series before scoring a win and a podium in the opening rounds of the USF Juniors series at NOLA Motorsports Park last April. The Windemere, FL driver then went on a run of consistency, scoring five additional victories at Barber, Mid-Ohio and Portland enroute to the title. He finished outside the top-four on only one occasion, and that was the result of a mechanical issue in Race 2 at NOLA. Incredible consistency had been added to his reputation for blinding pace, making him the driver to beat. Escorpioni will look to keep the momentum going in 2026.
“I’m excited to race another year now for Zanella Racing after winning the USF Juniors championship last year,” Escorpioni enthused. “This will be a big jump for me and the team, but I’m excited for this new step in my career and can’t wait until the start of the USF 2000 season.”
As the team prepares to enter its third season in the USF Pro Championships program with the addition of a USF2000 program to its title-winning USF Juniors squad, Zanella Racing is deep into its off-season testing program and will also announce additional drivers shortly.