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The 2026 F1 Academy drivers are showcasing the abundance of female racing talent on the global motorsport stage.
A fresh wave of team line-ups and graduates from karting and the W Series has created a tightly contested grid. With several teams doubling down on their development programmes, who will emerge as this year’s breakout star?
2026 F1 Academy drivers
PREMA Racing – Mathilda Paatz 🇩🇪, Payton Westcott 🇺🇸 and Seat TBA
Serial title contenders PREMA Racing once again field a line-up packed with potential for the 2026 F1 Academy season.
Mathilda Paatz steps into a full-season Aston Martin-supported seat after impressing in previous single-seater campaigns. The German racer has shown she can handle pressure situations – and with PREMA’s pedigree behind her, she has the tools to fight at the sharp end across the year.
Making history on the pathway to the grid, Payton Westcott graduates from the F1 Academy DISCOVER YOUR DRIVE programme into a full-time seat. The American proved she belongs at this level and now has the opportunity to build experience – and results – throughout the season.
With one seat still to be confirmed, PREMA remain a team to watch as the 2026 campaign unfolds.
Campos Racing – Megan Bruce 🇬🇧 and Two Seats TBA
Spanish outfit Campos Racing enter 2026 looking to build momentum with a refreshed line-up.
Megan Bruce joins the team with TAG Heuer backing as she embarks on her F1 Academy journey. Campos are known for nurturing talent, and Bruce will be aiming to grow into a consistent points contender as the season progresses.
Two seats remain open, meaning Campos’ final 2026 package is still evolving – something that could shape the competitive order as the year develops.
MP Motorsport – Nina Gademan 🇳🇱, Alba Larsen 🇩🇰 and Esmee Kosterman 🇳🇱
Dutch team MP Motorsport bring a strong blend of continuity and fresh ambition into 2026.
Nina Gademan begins a new chapter with the squad, carrying experience from previous campaigns into what could be a defining season. With proven pace and growing racecraft, she has the foundations to challenge consistently at the front.
Alba Larsen continues her progression in F1 Academy with Ferrari support. After establishing herself as a reliable finisher, the Danish driver is focused on converting that consistency into regular podium contention.
Joining them is Esmee Kosterman, who steps up from Wild Card appearances into a full-time drive. Racing on home soil at Zandvoort adds an extra layer of motivation for the Dutch driver as she gains experience across the calendar.
Rodin Motorsport – Ella Lloyd 🇬🇧, Ella Stevens 🇬🇧 and Emma Felbermayr 🇦🇹
Rodin Motorsport head into the 2026 season with a line-up capable of mixing it throughout the field.
Ella Lloyd continues her F1 Academy journey with McLaren backing, building on previous experience to establish herself as a regular front-runner. Her familiarity with the car and championship format could prove valuable across the campaign.
Rookie Ella Stevens arrives with strong karting credentials and encouraging pre-season performances. As the season unfolds, her development curve will be one of the key stories to follow.
Completing the trio, Emma Felbermayr enters her second campaign with Audi support. Having already shown she can compete for top results, she’ll be looking to add further milestones to her record in 2026.
ART Grand Prix – Lisa Billard 🇫🇷, Jade Jacquet 🇫🇷 and Kaylee Countryman 🇺🇸
French powerhouse ART Grand Prix field an exciting mix of youth and potential this season.
Lisa Billard begins her first full F1 Academy campaign after progressing through the French junior ranks. With a reputation for raw speed, she has the opportunity to establish herself as one of the breakout names of 2026.
Fellow French racer Jade Jacquet, supported by Williams, also makes her debut at this level. ART’s track record of developing talent makes this an ideal environment for her to grow across the year.
American driver Kaylee Countryman completes the line-up, representing Haas. Still early in her single-seater journey, she adds further international strength to the ART squad.
Hitech – Rachel Robertson 🇬🇧, Ava Dobson 🇦🇺 and Wild Card Entry
British team Hitech continue their F1 Academy project with a developing and ambitious line-up.
Rachel Robertson moves into a full-season seat after impressing in previous appearances. Backed by Puma, she enters 2026 with valuable experience and clear upward momentum.
Ava Dobson steps into a full-time American Express-supported drive as she begins her rookie campaign, aiming to build confidence and consistency as the season progresses.
As with previous seasons, Hitech will also operate a rotating Wild Card entry – offering emerging regional talents the opportunity to compete on selected weekends.
How does a F1 Academy race weekend work?
There are two races on a F1 academy race weekend, meaning a vast number of points are available for the drivers every time they get on the track.
Each weekend consists of:
- Two 40-minute Free Practice sessions
- One Qualifying session
- Race 1 (max 30 mins)
- Race 2 (max 30 mins)
How is the F1 Academy starting grid determined?
When competing in Qualifying, each driver’s fastest lap sets the grid for Race 2. Officials will set the grid for Race 1 by reversing the top eight drivers from Qualifying, while the drivers who qualified 9th to 18th will start in their original positions.
In Race 1, officials award points on a sliding scale – 10 for P1, then 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and finally 1 point for P8.
In Race 2, the top 10 classified drivers will score 25, 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 points respectively.
2026 F1 Academy Schedule
F1 Academy races take place over seven rounds of the season, supporting Formula 1 in the same way Formula 2 and Formula 3 do.
This gives the up-and-coming female racing talent the opportunity to showcase their skills in front of some of the biggest names in motorsport, with race timings also factored in so that Grand Prix ticket holders can enjoy the supporting action in addition to the headline F1 racing.
How to get F1 Academy Tickets
A ticket to an F1 race weekend grants you access to watch the whole F1 academy schedule for that particular weekend. This means that the only way you can cast your eyes over the best up and coming talent in female motorsport is by purchasing an F1 ticket.
Tickets for the majority of the remaining races of the 2026 F1 Academy season are now on sale, so now is the time to start planning your race weekend adventure.
To take a closer look at all of our ticketing options, click the button below
