DUDU SALAMONDE STEPS UP FORMULA 4 TRANSITION WITH TEST MARATHON IN ITALY

Brazilian driver leaves karting behind and takes on three circuits in one week of preparation, adaptation and track work as he sets his sights on the 2027 season

Mugello, Italy — September 17, 2026

After bringing his karting career to a close, Brazilian driver Dudu Salamonde is going through a decisive week in his transition to formula cars, supported by Minardi Management powered by DAG / EXA Tecnologia / Vero Coco / DKR / RL Eng. Design / Casa Barô / SOMA Blindados. The São Paulo native has begun an intensive testing program in Italy with a Formula 4 car, taking on the circuits of Cremona and Mugello before heading to Cervesina this Friday (18). The sequence marks a new chapter in the Brazilian driver’s career as he works to turn every lap into valuable experience and accelerate his adaptation to single-seaters.
New Challenge
The move from karting to a formula car represents a new stage in Salamonde’s development as a driver. The behavior of a single-seater, braking references, racing lines and the ability to extract the car’s performance all require a specific adaptation process and extensive track time. For this reason, the strategy throughout this testing sequence is to build mileage, understand the car and make steady progress from one session to the next.

“I want to adapt as quickly as possible, understand everything, make a lot of progress in the Formula car and start the 2027 season on the right foot,” says Dudu Salamonde.

The driver’s objective highlights the importance of this preparation period. Rather than focusing solely on outright lap times at this stage, the work is centered on understanding the car, fine-tuning details and building confidence for the challenges that lie ahead in his single-seater career.
Track Work at Cremona and Mugello
During the first two days of testing, Salamonde took to the track at Cremona and Mugello. The program focused primarily on refining racing lines, getting back up to speed on the throttle and understanding the different characteristics of each circuit. In every session, Salamonde worked to identify areas for improvement and find solutions to the demands of the Formula 4 car.

The process requires patience, concentration and the ability to react quickly. Every adjustment represents an opportunity to improve. It is in this environment that Dudu Salamonde is beginning to build his experience in single-seaters while facing the natural challenges that come with stepping up to a new category.
Preparation Off the Track
Preparation for this new phase also extends beyond the racetrack. Alongside the testing program, the Brazilian driver has joined the training program at Formula Medicine, which brings together a multidisciplinary team specializing in motorsport. Doctors, psychologists, physiotherapists, fitness coaches, nutritionists and osteopaths work together to address the specific needs of racing drivers.

“Formula Medicine has a complete team, all focused on motorsport. Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, has already been here, and today he is in Formula 1,” says Dudu Salamonde. The experience serves as an inspiration for his own journey: “That only motivates me to pursue the same path. I have all this support and structure to take the best possible route and continue growing in the sport.”
Final Stop of the Week
All of this behind-the-scenes work is coordinated by Minardi Management powered by DAG, which this season began managing the Brazilian driver’s career in motorsport. Next Tuesday (22), Dudu Salamonde will wrap up the testing sequence at the Tazio Nuvolari Circuit in Cervesina, approximately one hour from Milan. After sessions at Cremona and Mugello, the final test will provide another opportunity to put the adjustments made during the previous days into practice and further build his experience behind the wheel of the Formula 4 car.

Text by Kako Marques / KMCom Assessoria
Follow Dudu Salamonde on Instagram:
@eduardosalamonde