HMD Motorsports has officially signed 16-year-old Brazilian-American driver Leonardo Escorpioni to its 2027 Indy NXT by Firestone lineup. The promotion follows his tenure as the team’s official Junior Driver throughout the 2026 season, bringing valuable team familiarity as he advances toward the IndyCar Series.
Rapid Ascent Through Open-Wheel Ranks
Escorpioni enters Indy NXT after a strong rookie campaign in the 2026 USF Pro 2000 Championship Presented by Continental Tire, where he finished as the vice-champion. After graduating from USF Juniors, he immediately emerged as a title contender and led the standings for a large portion of the year before visa issues interrupted his championship bid. This performance followed his 2025 USF Juniors championship title, marking a fast progression through single-seater categories.
His open-wheel journey began in early 2024 during the YACademy Winter Series for USF Juniors, featuring a victory at Sebring International Raceway. Following his USF Juniors title victory, he made a short appearance in USF2000 before quickly moving up to USF Pro 2000. Now, just two years after his initial single-seater appearance, Escorpioni prepares for his first full season in Indy NXT.
Team Expectations and Preparation
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to race in Indy NXT with HMD Motorsports,” Escorpioni stated regarding his signing. He noted that spending the previous season working alongside drivers and engineers gave him a solid foundation, describing his first laps in the car at the Driver Evaluation Test as a dream come true while aiming to compete at the front.
HMD Motorsports Team President Mike Maurini shared confidence in the young driver’s preparation. “We’re looking forward to Leonardo’s debut season,” Maurini said, explaining that Leo’s year of learning the team’s operations provides a distinct advantage. Maurini added that the team aims to provide the necessary tools and support for Escorpioni to remain competitive from the very first round.
Preparations have already begun as Escorpioni recently completed his initial laps in an Indy NXT car during the Driver Evaluation Test and the Chris Griffis Memorial Test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He will continue working with HMD Motorsports throughout the official preseason testing schedule leading up to the 2027 season opener.
