As the F1 Academy enters its third season in 2025, the grid is filled with returning talent as well as fresh faces. The last entry was confirmed yesterday, symbolically just ahead of International Women’s Day. The series is establishing itself as a fundamental platform for female drivers to grow and showcase their talent alongside the closely watched F1 races. Susie Wolff, the series’ CEO, has ensured it’s not just another initiative with short-lived glory. This is evident when looking at the talented graduates who have found their place in other motorsport categories. With all 18 drivers set and ready for the year ahead, let’s break down the full line-ups.
PREMA Racing
PREMA Racing is betting on a combination of experience and young talent. Doriane Pin and Tina Hausmann are familiar faces. Both are ready to embark on their second season in the series, aiming high — Pin as the closest rival of last year’s champion, Abbi Pulling, and Hausmann as a driver whose season was hindered by a string of bad luck. Pin continues in Mercedes colours while still being a part of Iron Dames.
Nina Gademan pairs with them, having joined the Alpine driver academy after appearing as a wild card entry for the Dutch GP last year. She also has experience from British F4 and most recently competed in Formula Winter Series.
ART Grand Prix
ART Grand Prix followed a similar path, opting for two returners and a newcomer. Aurelia Nobels, proud of her Brazilian roots, became the only female driver in the Brazilian F4 roster in 2022. Her biggest career success came when she won the prestigious FIA Girls On Track – Rising Stars programme, earning a spot in the FDA.
Lia Block comes from a famous racing lineage, and aims to continue where Ken Block left off. She has experience in off-road racing, but last season in F1 Academy was her first ever in single-seaters.
Courtney Crone made her debut last year at the Miami GP as a wild card entry. After competing in front of her home crowd, she will now be a full-time grid member. As an American driver, it’s only fitting that Haas selected her to represent them in the feeder series.
Hitech TGR
Hitech TGR enters the 2025 season with a completely new driver line-up, unaffiliated with any F1 teams. Nicola Havrda, a Canadian driver, will race under American Express colours in her debut season. Expectations are high, as she is the first-ever female Formula Pro USA Champion.
Aiva Anagnostiadis, another new entry, will race in TAG Heuer colours – a nod to the new F1 global partner. At only 17, she already has karting experience from the Rac(H)er initiative and competed in the Indian F4 Championship.
Hitech will also host wild card entries throughout the season. The first, Wei Shi, will debut in her home race in China. She won an F4 Chinese Championship Challenge Cup and raced in the Chinese Endurance Championship, making her comfortable with having a home crowd.
MP Motorsport
Maya Weugh switches teams for 2025 but retains her Ferrari red. She moves from PREMA to MP Motorsport – mirroring FDA drivers in other series. She finished third overall last year, making her a strong title contender in 2025 alongside Pin. As the first ever female FDA member she has the backing to be available of winning.
Alba Larsen is relatively new to racing, having entered karting only in 2023. Her only single-seater experience consists of two Indian F4 appearances, where she secured a podium. This year, she will represent Tommy Hilfiger.
The team’s last entry is Joanne Ciconte from Australia, the youngest driver at 16. In 2024, she made her single-seater debut across various F4 championships. For 2025, she will race in the F1 Academy livery.
Campos Racing
Campos Racing welcomes back Chloe Chambers, although she switches her affiliation from Haas to Red Bull Ford. With experience in US F4, the now-extinct W Series, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, and the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Championship, she was one of the only 4 race winners last year.
The rest of the team’s roster consists of two F1 Academy rookies. Rafaela Ferreira, another Brazilian driver, became the first female to win a Brazilian F4 race. Alisha Palmowski, a wild card entry in Qatar last year, impressed with a top-five finish in her first-ever race. With experience in the Daniel Ricciardo Karting Series and GB4 Championship — both of which she finished as a runner-up — she is ready to represent Red Bull Racing Pepe Jeans.
Rodin Motorsport
Rodin Motorsport’s roster features an ex-skier, as Ella Lloyd transitioned to racing only in 2022. Unlike many others, she didn’t come through karting. After a competitive 2024 British F4 season, she caught McLaren’s attention, earning a spot in their junior programme. Her F1 backing led to a Formula E female test opportunity as well as a wild card F1 Academy entry in Singapore.
Emma Felbermayr comes from a racing family, although 2025 marks her single-seater debut. With extensive karting success, Sauber selected her for its representation in F1 Academy.
Chloe Chong debuted in F1 Academy in 2023 before taking a year off to tackle British F4. This year, she returns with a bold Charlotte Tilbury livery.
The 2025 season promises to be the most competitive yet, with a diverse grid – making it even more entertaining with the return of the reverse grid. What better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than by following these rising female stars before their season kicks off with the Chinese Grand Prix in two weeks?